A different method for measuring mitral valve area with special emphasis on concomitant aortic regurgitation: A new...

Measurement of mitral valve area is still a challenge for the echocardiographers. Each method has its own limitations. In this study we assessed a different method and compared it with the other methods. The study included 50 consecutive patients with mitral stenosis. The reference method was planimetry. The suggested method was compared with the pressure half-time method, proximal isovelocity surface area method with and without angular correction, and the continuity method. There was a good correlation between each method and planimetry. The suggested method had the best correlation both for patients with and without aortic regurgitation. The pressure half-time method and continuity method overestimated the mitral valve area for patients with aortic regurgitation, whereas proximal isovelocity surface area method without angular correction overestimated the area in all patients. In conclusion, this method has very good correlation with planimetry. It can be used both in patients with and without aortic regurgitation.