Abdominal Aorta Sagittal View
Description
The effect of ductal steal on systemic perfusion may be quantified using echocardiography. The use of pulse-wave Doppler to assess flow through the celiac artery can indicate the impact of a PDA on gut perfusion. Celiac artery blood flow falls in the presence of a PDA compared to controls despite a rising LVO especially in diastole. The presence of absent or reversed flow during diastole is an indication of moderate or severe ductal steal.2D Image
A colour Doppler is used to aid in the visualisation of the celiac vessel and the superior mesenteric artery. Pulse wave Doppler is then applied to assess the flow pattern.
Colour Doppler
Diagram
The pulsed wave Doppler obtained can demonstrate the presence of ductal steal by assessing the diastolic flow in the vessel. Panel (A) demonstrates normal flow. Panel (B) demonstrated absent end diastolic flow in moderate PDA steal and Panel (C) demonstrates revered diastolic flow in severe PDA steal.