The Futile Heart

In complex cases (i.e., aorto-right atrial fistula), in order to obtain a complete understating of the clinical picture and possibly recommend appropriate treatments, a thorough investigation is required with attention to technical details that can influence the various calculations and quantifications utilized. Combining all available echocardiographic data—m-mode, 2D, Doppler, 3D—can prove invaluable for understanding the hemodynamics in certain situations. Detailed echocardiographic evaluation can provide important information and be key to making a clinically important diagnosis. Any calculation utilized should be thought of and the information obtained from it should be understood in the larger context, and interpreted accordingly.