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Quantitative estimation of valvular incompetence
European Journal of Cardiology
|December 1, 1975
Summary
Quantifying regurgitant flow (Qreg) in heart valve incompetence is crucial. This study establishes a reliable method using cardiac output measurements, linking regurgitant flow to left ventricular volume load.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Assessing regurgitant flow (Qreg) in incompetent heart valves is vital for patient management.
- Current methods require accurate measurement of effective cardiac output (Qeff) and total left ventricular output (Qtot).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a method for quantifying regurgitant flow (Qreg) in patients with valvular incompetence.
- To establish the relationship between regurgitant flow and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (Ved).
Main Methods:
- Effective cardiac output (Qeff) determined using thermodilution with a new correction factor for indicator quantity.
- Total left ventricular output (Qtot) measured via quantitative left ventriculography.
- Regurgitant flow (Qreg) calculated as Qtot - Qeff.
Main Results:
- No significant difference between Qeff and Qtot in patients without valve incompetence.
- Qreg ranged from 0.5 to 4.7 L/min/m² in mitral incompetence and 0.9 to 11.2 L/min/m² in aortic incompetence.
- A strong correlation (r=0.91) was found between left ventricular end-diastolic volume (Ved) and Qreg (Ved = 21.7 Qreg + 59.2).
Conclusions:
- The study presents a validated method for quantifying regurgitant flow (Qreg) in valvular incompetence.
- A significant relationship exists between regurgitant flow and left ventricular volume load, measured by Ved.
- Quantitative measurements of Ved and Qreg may guide future surgical indications.