Discrepancies Between Echocardiographic Spectral Doppler and Catheterization Pressures

Abstract

As medical professionals, we strive to provide high-quality examinations that provide the information needed for physicians to make definitive diagnoses for their patients. The quality of examinations performed is consistently monitored and analyzed for correlation with other diagnostic modalities. The following case puzzled cardiac sonographers, pulmonologists, and cardiologists from several different institutions. Due to the discrepancies between echocardiographic and catheterization results, the patient underwent five echocardiograms, three of which were performed at the same institution as the two right heart catheterizations. Cardiologists and sonographers have trusted the modified Bernoulli’s equation to provide accurate and reproducible echocardiographic pressures. However, this case proved puzzling when the catheterization pressures were normal and the echocardiogram reported high pressures indicating significant pulmonary hypertension.