[Cross-sectional visualization of regurgitant jet by color flow mapping to evaluate aortic regurgitation]

In the noninvasive evaluation of aortic regurgitation by Doppler echocardiography, flow mapping of the aortic regurgitant jet using the long-axis approach is of limited value in cases of combined mitral stenotic lesions. This is because the transmitral flow yields flow disturbances in the left ventricle, making it difficult to identify the extent of the aortic regurgitant jet. To overcome these limitations, the severity of aortic regurgitation was evaluated using the cross-sectional area of the aortic regurgitant jet at the level of the aortic valve as visualized by color flow imaging technique. The study population consisted of 16 patients with aortic regurgitation (10 with pure aortic regurgitation, five with superimposed mitral stenosis, and one with mitral valve replacement). Three normal subjects served as controls. The cross-section of the aortic regurgitant jet was visualized as a mosaic of yellow and blue in all patients with aortic regurgitation, but not in any of the controls. Planimetric measurements of the cross-sectional area of the regurgitant jet (J) and the aortic annulus area (Ao) were performed, and the Doppler parameter, J/Ao, was calculated. As a reference, the aortic regurgitant fraction (RF) was calculated from Doppler measurements of systolic aortic and pulmonary flows (AF and PF); RF (%) = (AF - RF)/AF x 100. The Doppler parameter, J/Ao, correlated well with the Doppler measurement of RF (r = 0.82, p less than 0.005), irrespective of the presence of associated mitral lesions. Thus, the cross-sectional area of the aortic regurgitant jet determined by color flow imaging technique would be a useful estimate of the severity of aortic regurgitation, even in the presence of associated mitral stenotic changes.