Determination of the optimal region for interaliasing distance measurement for flow regurgitant rate calculation: a fluid simulation study.
BACKGROUND
Color Doppler imaging of the convergent region is promising for quantifying valvular regurgitation. Nevertheless, proximal isovelocity surface area method has limitations. We sought to determine the optimal localization to measure the most precise flow rate using a new approach: the interaliasing distance.


METHODS
A finite volume-based program was used to perform simulations in unsteady flow conditions. Different instantaneous flow rates, leaflet angles, and orifice sizes were tested reproducing physiologic conditions. Relative difference between actual and interaliasing distance flow rate was calculated for each configuration.


RESULTS
The relationship between the relative error and the aliasing velocity location was described by a third-order polynomial equation. The magnitude of relative error is a function of the flow rate, orifice size, and leaflet angle.


CONCLUSIONS
The optimal distance from the orifice to measure the interaliasing distance was when the closer aliasing was between 4 and 8 mm from the orifice.
Cardiology Department, Poitiers University Hospital, France. d.coisne@chu-poitiers.fr
Damien
D
Coisne
Erwan
E
Donal
Laurent
L
Sanchez
Frederic
F
Billy
Luc
L
Christiaens
Robert
R
Perrault
D016275:Atrial Function; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008433:Mathematics; D017725:Ventricular Pressure