A lot of hemodynamic information including maximum and mean velocity, maximum and mean pressure gradients and pressure half time can be obtained from Doppler trace that helps in detection and gradient of valve stenosis and regurgitation, extraction of pulmonary artery pressure and evaluation of aortic, pulmonary venous and hepatic venous flows. Various calculations like stroke volume, cardiac output, valve area, regurgitant fraction and intracardiac shunts can be calculated which can guide the cardiologist and surgeon in taking important decisions regarding timing and type of intervention in individual patients.
Colour Doppler is bbed on principle of pulse wave Doppler and provides a real time display of movilg blood in different colours. By convention the blood flowing towards the transducer is encoded in red and blood flowing away form the transducer is encbded in blue colour. Turbulence is indicated by multicoloured or mo$aic pattem of flow. Colour Doppler imaging makes the detection and estimation of valve regurgitation and shunts simple and accurate. It also guides in correct placement and angulation of cursor for obtaining pulse or continuous wave Doppler traces.