Quantitative estimation of valvular incompetence.
The regurgitant flow (Qreg) through incompetent valves can be assessed by subtracting effective cardiac output (Qeff) from total left ventricular output (Qtot). Qeff was determined with the thermodilution method. A new correction factor for true injected quantity of indicator was developed and a procedure for rapid estimation of (see article) deltaT(t)dt was tested. Qtot was determined with the aid of quantitative left ventriculography. In 10 patients without incompetent valves no significant difference between Qeff and Qtot could be demonstrated. Qreg in 11 patients with mitral incompetence ranged from 0.5 till 4.7 1-min-1 m-2 and in 12 patients with aortic incompetence from 0.9 till 11.2 1-min-1 m-2. The relation of left ventricular enddiastolic volume (Ved in ml-m-2) and Qreg (in 1-min-m-2) is expressed by the regression equation: Ved = 21.7 Qreg + 59.2 (correlation coefficient 0.91), demonstrating a good relationship of regurgitant flow and volume load fo the left ventricle. Follow-up of these patients is important to detect guidelines for operation indications base on quantitative measurements of Ved and Qreg.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002302:Cardiac Output; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology