The Reliability of Doppler Echocardiographic Methods in Assessing the Severity of Mitral Regurgitation due to Mitral Valve Prolapse

AIM
Mitral regurgitation in milral valve prolapse (MVP) has a different character, and it is of high importance to assess the severity of regurgitation accurately in these patients. To our knowledge, this is the first study comparing the echocardiographic nıethods in assessing the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) due to MVP. Metlıods: Forty-seven patients with MVP having at least moderate mitral insufficiency established by Doppler echocardiographic methods were studied. Quantitative Doppler was usedas the reference method and regurgitarı fraction (RF) caleulated. Severe MR was diagnosed if RF was 50%. Doppler flow mapping was us ed to de termine regurgitan jet area (JNLAA),flow eonvergence (EROA-PISA) and Vena Canıraeta width (VCW). Systolie pulmonary verıousflow reversal (SPVFR) and E wave veloeity were alsa obtained.
RESULTS
Presenee of severe MR (n=28) was sigrıifıeantly eorrelated to EROA-PISA (r=0.85, pKeywords: Mitral valve prolapse, milral regurgitation, Doppler eclıocardiograplıy