Quantification of aortic regurgitation using Doppler imaging

• Published in: International journal of cardiac imaging 1987-09, Vol.2 (3), p.145-150
• Main Authors: RAFFOUL, H, DIEBOLD, B, GUGLIELMI, J.-P, TOUATI, R, FORMAN, J, OURBAK, P, PERONNEAU, P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aortic Valve Insufficiency - diagnosis; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiology. Vascular system; Echocardiography; Endocardial and cardiac valvular diseases; Female; Heart; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged
• ISSN: 0167-9899; 1573-0743
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01784300

Aortic insufficiency induces the development of a jet within the left ventricular outflow tract. The cross sectional area of this jet at its origin is the major determinant of the severity of the regurgitation. M mode Doppler imaging reportedly allows the measurement of jet diameter. This study was designed to evaluate the quantification of aortic regurgitation using a measurement of the jet diameter by M mode Doppler imaging. The left ventricular outflow tract of 32 patients was imaged using either a multigate pulsed Doppler velocimeter of color flow mapping system (Hewlett Packard). The jet diameter was compared to a 4 grade semiquantification derived from supravalvular aortography. Adequate imaging was obtained in the 32 patients. Four of them had no regurgitation: no diastolic flow image could be found during their Doppler investigation. A clear jet image was obtained in the 28 remaining patients. We found a close relationship between the jet diameter (jd in mm) and the angiographic grade (ag): jd = 2.4 + 6.1 ag, r = 0.88, the most significant differences being found between grade 0 and grade 1, and grade 1 and grade 2. In conclusion, direct M mode measurement of the regurgitant jet of aortic insufficiency at its origin offers an additional approach of the severity of the leak.