Application of proximal isovelocity surface area method to determine prosthetic mitral valve area

In this study, we investigated the accuracy of orifice area determination of the prosthetic valve (Biocor) by using proximal isovelocity surface area method (PISA). Thirty-two patients (26 women, 6 men; mean age 44 +/- 8.1 years) were studied. Eleven patients were in normal sinus rhythm and the rest were in atrial fibrillation. Associated valvular lesions were mild aortic regurgitation in 12 patients and moderate tricuspid regurgitation in 19 patients. Sizes of prosthetic valves were 27 to 31, and implantation duration was 4 to 8 years.

We analyzed the flow convergence zone proximal to the valve orifice with the concept of a hemispheric model. Mitral valve area (MVA) calculation was formulated by MVA = 2pi r2 x Va/Vm x (Vm/Vm-Va), where Vm is the maximal mitral velocity and Vm/Vm - Va is a correction factor to account for flattening of isotachs near the prosthetic orifice. MVA calculations by PISA were compared with pressure half-time (PHT), continuity equation (CONT), and color flow area (CFA) methods. Mitral valve areas were 2.17 +/- 0.17 cm2, 2.22 +/- 0.21 cm2, 2.19 +/- 0.22 cm2, and 2.16 +/- 0.17 cm2 in PISA, CFA, PHT, and CONT methods, respectively. Values in the comparison of MVA measurements by different methods were PISA vs PHT, r =.86; PISA vs CFA, r =.77; and PISA vs CONT, r =.89.

The PISA method gives reliable estimates of large orifices such as prosthetic valves. Although the best correlation was seen with the CONT method, results of this study also confirmed that the PISA method can be applied with reasonable accuracy.