Quantification of pressure gradients


 * One of the ways to understand pressure gradients within the heart is by using Doppler echocardiography
 * Continuous wave doppler measures the velocity of the flow of blood within the heart
 * A modified Bernoulli Equation is applied in order to determine the pressure difference across a valve or between two cardiac chambers based on the measured peak velocity of blood flow

Bernoulli Equation: Pressure change = 4 x velocity^2


 * This technique is used to calculate pressure gradients across stenotic valves and also to estimate pulmonary artery systolic pressures (PASP) non-invasively
 * Of note, it measures the difference between chambers, not the absolute pressure


 * Example: calculating the PASP
 * in patients with tricupsid regurgitation can use Bernoulli equation to calculate the systolic pressure change between the RA and RV
 * adding the assumed RA systolic pressure give the RV systolic pressure
 * the RV systolic pressure equals the PA systolic pressure if there is no RVOT obstruction