Ultraschall Med 2016; 37 - P2_15
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1587930

Analysis of echocardiographic parameters for the evaluation of Aortic Regurgitation

S Stöbe 1, A Hagendorff 1, A Tarr 1, D Jurisch 1, D Pfeiffer 1
  • 1University of Leipzig, Department of Cardiology/Angiology, Leipzig, Germany

In the present study different approaches for the evaluation of aortic regurgitation (AR) in patients with chronic AR and in patient after TAVI were analysed.

55 patients with chronic AR and 15 patients with AR after TAVI were analysed by the conventional approach, semi-quantitative parameters and global left ventricular (LV) peak systolic strain (PSS). The conventional approach was performed by the assessment of the regurgitant fraction (RF), the regurgitant volume (RV), the effective and total stroke volume (SV). In TAVI patients AR was additionally analysed by the proportion of the valvular defect to the aortic valve ring.

Total SV determinations by Doppler echocardiography and biplane planimetry showed good correlations. The assessment of the effective SV using the pulmonary valve (PV) diameter and the VTIPV or the mitral valve (MV) diameter and the VTIMV showed less good correlations. Higher or preserved global LV PSS values were observed in chronic AR patients. However, in extremely dilated left ventricles global PSS values seemed to be reduced. The Pressure-Half-Time (PHT) could be determined in 80%, the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) in 21% and the vena contracta (VC) in 56% of patients with chronic AR. The PHT could be determined in 40%, the PISA in 0% and the VC in 40% of patients with AR after TAVI.

The conventional analysis of AR in patients with chronic AR and in patients with AR after TAVI is feasible and suitable. Semi-quantitative parameters were less suitable and will often lead to overestimation in patients with chronic AR and to underestimation of AR in patients after TAVI. Global LV PSS can be used as a descriptive parameter for the assessment of LV eccentric hypertrophy but cannot be used to characterise various stages of chronic AR. AR in patients after TAVI can be well analysed by the conventional approach.