[Evaluation of regurgitant fraction of aortic regurgitation by means of pulsed Doppler echocardiography as compared with cine angiography].

The regurgitant fraction (RF) of aortic regurgitation (AR) was calculated using pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE), and the results were compared with those of aortography. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), PDE and cine angiography were performed for 33 patients, including nine in whom aortic regurgitation (AR) was ruled out by contrast 2DE and 24 in whom AR was confirmed by aortography (AOG). The latter were subdivided into six of Sellers' degree I, seven of degree II, eight of degree III and three of degree IV. Sampling was obtained from the main pulmonary artery, the left ventricular outflow tract, and the mean circulation velocity (f1) was calculated from the power spectrum wave pattern obtained from each source. With the following formula, Qp (pulmonary arterial blood flow), Qs (left ventricular ejection blood flow) and RF [= (Qs--Qp)/Qs] were calculated, and compared with the findings obtained from invasive methods: (formula; see text) (L = vascular diameter; theta = angle of incidence; C = velocity of sound; fo = oscillating frequency; ET = ejection time; HR = heart rate) A correlation of r = 0.81 was found between Qp calculated with PDE and right cardiac output (CO) by the thermodilution method. A correlation of r = 0.66 was observed between Qs and left ventricular ejection volume obtained from left ventriculography using Dodge's method. Comparison of RF using Sellers' classification with AOG revealed that the RF in the group uncomplicated with AR was 0.14 +/- 0.10, and Sellers' degrees I, 0.27 +/- 0.08; II, 0.36 +/- 0.04; III, 0.53 +/- 0.05; and IV, 0.64 +/- 0.06, indicating consistency with severity and RF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)