title: Accuracy of computer-based quantification of aortic valve stenosis.
abstract: In patients with aortic valve stenosis, the quantification of stenosis is usually performed using fluid-filled catheters and a computerized calculation program. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of this technique in comparison to the manual planimetry of the area between the curves of a simultaneous registration, using a multitip micromanometer catheter. The study was performed in 19 patients, in whom left and right heart catheterization was warranted. Systolic left ventricular and aortic peak pressures were significantly overestimated using a fluid-filled catheter (206 +/- 35 vs. 199 +/- 37 mm Hg, P = 0.0003, and 148 +/- 18 vs. 143 +/- 21 mm Hg, P = 0.0052). However, peak-to-peak pressure gradients were identical comparing both techniques (58 +/- 31 vs. 56 +/- 32 mm Hg, r = 0.983). The mean pressure gradients and aortic valve areas based on simultaneous measurements of left ventricular and aortic pressures by micromanometer catheters were identical to the values determined by a computer-based program using fluid-filled catheters (54 +/- 21 vs. 52 +/- 21 mm Hg, r = 0.923, P < 0.05, and 0.75 +/- 0.25 vs. 0.77 +/- 0.25 cm2, r = 0.935). Thus, the conventional use of fluid-filled catheters and of a computerized calculation of aortic valve area is valid for quantification of aortic stenosis in patients with sinus rhythm and without significant aortic regurgitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University of Tübingen, Germany. wgschoeb@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Schöbel
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Voelker
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Obergfell
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Haase
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Karsch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000503:physiopathology; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*