TY - JOUR
T1 - Vena contracta imaged by Doppler color flow mapping predicts the severity of eccentric mitral regurgitation better than color jet area
T2 - A chronic animal study
AU - Zhou, Xiaodong
AU - Jones, Michael
AU - Shiota, Takahiro
AU - Yamada, Izumi
AU - Teien, Dag
AU - Sahn, David J.
PY - 1997/11/1
Y1 - 1997/11/1
N2 - Objectives. This study sought to evaluate the relation between the color Doppler-imaged vena contracta and the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) in a chronic animal model of MR. Background. The vena contracta, which is defined as the smallest connection between the laminar flow acceleration zone and the turbulent regurgitant jet, has been reported to be a clinically useful marker for evaluating the severity of valvular regurgitation. Methods. Six sheep with chronic MR produced by previous operation severing the chordae tendineae were examined. MR jet flows and vena contracta widths were imaged using a Vingmed 775 scanner with a 5-MHz transducer. Image data were directly transferred in digital format to a microcomputer for off-line measurement. MR was quantified as peak and mean regurgitant flow rates, regurgitant stroke volumes and regurgitant fractions determined using mitral and aortic electromagnetic flow probes and flowmeters balanced against each other. Results. Vena contracta width correlated well with regurgitant severity determined by electromagnetic flowmeters (r = 0.95, SEE = 0.05 cm, p < 0.0001 for peak regurgitant flow rate; r = 0.85, SEE = 0.08 cm, p < 0.0001 for regurgitant stroke volume; r = 0.90, SEE = 0.07 cm, p < 0.0001 for regurgitant fraction). Conclusions. This study shows that the vena contracta width method is useful for predicting the severity of MR. It is simple and conveniently available with high resolution equipment. The quantitative comparisons in the present study lay the foundation for future clinical and research studies using this vena contracta technique.
AB - Objectives. This study sought to evaluate the relation between the color Doppler-imaged vena contracta and the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) in a chronic animal model of MR. Background. The vena contracta, which is defined as the smallest connection between the laminar flow acceleration zone and the turbulent regurgitant jet, has been reported to be a clinically useful marker for evaluating the severity of valvular regurgitation. Methods. Six sheep with chronic MR produced by previous operation severing the chordae tendineae were examined. MR jet flows and vena contracta widths were imaged using a Vingmed 775 scanner with a 5-MHz transducer. Image data were directly transferred in digital format to a microcomputer for off-line measurement. MR was quantified as peak and mean regurgitant flow rates, regurgitant stroke volumes and regurgitant fractions determined using mitral and aortic electromagnetic flow probes and flowmeters balanced against each other. Results. Vena contracta width correlated well with regurgitant severity determined by electromagnetic flowmeters (r = 0.95, SEE = 0.05 cm, p < 0.0001 for peak regurgitant flow rate; r = 0.85, SEE = 0.08 cm, p < 0.0001 for regurgitant stroke volume; r = 0.90, SEE = 0.07 cm, p < 0.0001 for regurgitant fraction). Conclusions. This study shows that the vena contracta width method is useful for predicting the severity of MR. It is simple and conveniently available with high resolution equipment. The quantitative comparisons in the present study lay the foundation for future clinical and research studies using this vena contracta technique.
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U2 - 10.1016/S0735-1097(97)00304-5
DO - 10.1016/S0735-1097(97)00304-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 9350945
AN - SCOPUS:0030779284
SN - 0735-1097
VL - 30
SP - 1393
EP - 1398
JO - Journal of the American College of Cardiology
JF - Journal of the American College of Cardiology
IS - 5
ER -