Intracardiac pressure-sound correlates of echographic aortic valve closure

Echographic aortic valve closure was compared to the dicrotic notch of the aortic pressure and intracardiac A2 to define the exact temporal relationship of the echographic, pressure, and sound parameters of aortic valve closure. Sixteen children, ages 3--20 years, were evaluated by simultaneous aortic valve echograms, micromanometric aortic root pressure tracings, and intracardiac phonocardiograms recorded at paper speeds of 200 mm/sec. Our observations demonstrated that echographic coaptation of the aortic valve leaflets coincides with the trough of the aortic pressure incisura and the onset of A2. The data suggest that A2 is a result of valve closure.