Current Echocardiography-Doppler Approaches to the Quantification of Valvular Regurgitation

Echocardiography-Doppler methods frequently are used to assess patients with mitral and aortic valve disease. Quantitation of the regurgitant lesions remains an important part of the noninvasive exam. Recently, several newer quantitative methods have been developed that can be helpful to the clinician. This article reviews conventional volumetric techniques and recently validated hydrodynamic approaches to the assessment of mitral and aortic regurgitation. The derivation of formulas is discussed along with the value and limitations of each technique.