Noninvasive estimation of aortic valve areas in children with aortic stenosis

Fifteen children with aortic stenosis were examined with Echo-Doppler cardiography in order to evaluate the use of the continuity equation to calculate the aortic valve area. The results were compared to invasive estimates of valve area calculated with the Gorlin's equation. A close correlation between the two methods, r = 0.94, was found and it is concluded that even in children an accurate estimate of valve area can be expected with the use of the continuity equation.