Comparison of Vena Contracta Width by Multiplane Transesophageal Echocardiography with Quantitative Doppler and Angiographic Grading to Assess Aortic Regurgitation

Aortic regurgitation (AR) severity is generally assessed by conventional echo-Doppler methods which are affected by both technica l and hemodynamic variables. Vena contracta (VC) width has been previously shown to be less influenced by hemodynamic vari abtes and correlate wi th angiographic grading of mitral regurgitation. However, el inical application of ve has been limited because of the difficulty in clear imaging the ve by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in patients with AR. To our knowledge, there is only one study which evaluates VC method ı n AR by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the literature. This study was designed to co ınp are aortic VC width by multiplane TEE with quanti tative Doppl er echocardiography and angiographic grading. The VC width was measured at the narrowest portion of the AR jet as it emerged through the coaptation of leaflets; it was clearly imaged in 48% of patients by TTE and 88% of patients by TEE. Transesophageal echocardiographic VC width correlated well w ith regurgitation vol u me (r=0.9 J , p3,8 mm for diagnosing severe AR (regurgirant volume > 40 ml) were 100% and 84.6%, respectively. In conclusion, VC width by multiplane TEE carrelates well with quantitat ive Doppler methods and angiographic grading. Vena contracta width provides a simple and feas ible method for the identification and grading of patients w ith AR.