Quantitative evaluation of valvular regurgitation by 133Xenon infusion.

Mitral and aortic regurgitation was evaluated by X-ray, dye dilution bolus, and 133Xenon infusion methods in 24 patients with mitral, aortic or both valve lesions. Good reproducibility was found using the 133Xenon infusion method. The regurgitant fraction estimated by 133Xenon constant infusion method correlates well with the results of the dye dilution method in mitral regurgitation as well as in aortic regurgitation. The 133Xenon infusion method is well-suited for quantitative evaluation of mitral and aortic regurgitation. For its simplicity, it is therefore recommended for further clinical evaluation in pharmacodynamic and preoperative studies.