Assessment of mitral regurgitation severity by different echo-doppler methods

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine a simple and accurate technique in the assessment of mitral regurgitation severity by different qualitative and quantitative echo-Doppler methods. Two qualitative parameters, commonly used, and two quantitative methods in assessing the severity of mitral regurge in cases of central [C] jets and in those with eccentric [E] jets were compared. Forty patients with native, isolated MR of different causes were evaluated using qualitative methods. MR was considered severe if regurgitant fraction [RF] >/60% and regurgitant orifice area [ROA] >/0.4 cm2. The regurgitant jet direction was located in all cases. A significant correlation was found between VC width on one hand and RF and ROA on the other hand in patients with both central [C] and eccentric [E] jets. Although jet area, the most commonly used parameter for assessing MR severity, shows a significant correlation with the degree of mitral regurgitation, this correlation is valid only in patients with central jet and it is of no clinical value in those with eccentric jets