Sixty-four slice CT evaluation of aortic stenosis using planimetry of the aortic valve area.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of our study was to evaluate planimetry of the aortic valve area with 64-slice CT in comparison with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with aortic stenosis.


METHODS
Thirty-six patients with aortic valve disease referred for coronary 64-slice CT angiography were examined. Planimetry of the aortic valve area with 64-slice CT was compared with TTE using the Doppler continuity equation for calculation of the aortic valve area and with planimetric measurement of the aortic valve area using TEE.


RESULTS
Planimetry of the aortic valve area with CT (1.11 +/- 0.42 cm2) showed a good correlation with TTE (1.05 +/- 0.42 cm2) (r = 0.88, p < 0.001) in 32 patients and a good correlation with TEE (1.41 +/- 1.61 cm2) (r = 0.99, p < 0.0001) in 10 patients. The mean and maximum transvalvular pressure gradients were correlated with the aortic valve area as measured with CT (r = -0.68, p = 0.0001; and r = -0.67, p = 0.0001, respectively). Beta-blockers were not given (mean heart rate, 62.5 +/- 10.7 beats per minute).


CONCLUSIONS
MDCT allows accurate planimetry of the aortic valve area in patients with aortic stenosis. In patients referred for 64-slice CT coronary angiography, concomitant aortic stenosis can be identified and evaluated.
Feuchtner
Gudrun M
GM
Clinical Department of Radiology II, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. gudrun.feuchtner@i-med.ac.at
Müller
Silvana
S
Bonatti
Johannes
J
Schachner
Thomas
T
Velik-Salchner
Corinna
C
Pachinger
Otmar
O
Dichtl
Wolfgang
W
D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional / Q000379:methods*; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*