Evaluation of "Doppler Velocity Index" in Significant Aortic Stenosis

The purpose of this study procedure was to determine in significant aortic stenosis, the value of a simple index (namely the ratio of the systolic maximal outflow tract velocity to systolic maximal aortic jet velocity) by comparing with catheterization-derived aortic valve areas calculated by the Gorlin equation. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography was performed prospectively in 36 patients with aortic stenosis who underwent clinically indicated cardiac catheterization. The value =0.22 gave only 1 false positive result when aortic valve area was less or equal to 1 cm2 (sensitivity 94%). The results of this study show that this simple Doppler ratio is feasible easily and may be useful for identification of patients with significant aortic stenosis, especially when Doppler-derived aortic valve are calculated by the continuity equation is difficult to realise.