Requirement for accurate measurement of regurgitant stroke volume by the combined continuous-wave Doppler and color Doppler flow convergence method.

The examination conditions necessary for accurate measurement of regurgitant volume by the proximal flow convergence method applying a simple hemispheric equation remain uncertain. This study investigated the requirement for measuring regurgitant stroke volume from the combined continuous-wave and color Doppler proximal flow convergence approach. Twenty-five pulsatile flow rates were produced by driving five regurgitant stroke volumes ranging from 30 to 70 ml/beat through planar orifices with cross-sectional areas ranging from 0.10 to 1.0 cm2. Four different shaped orifices (circular, rectangular with a major/minor axis ratio 2:1, slitlike with a major/minor axis ratio of 8:1, and square) having identical orifice areas (0.5 cm2) were examined. Regurgitant volume (RV) was estimated from the combined continuous-wave and color Doppler approach according to the previously described equation RV = 2 pi x (r max)2 x AV x (TVI/Vmax), where r max is maximal radial distance, AV is aliasing velocity, TVI is time velocity integral of regurgitant jet, and Vmax is peak velocity of regurgitant jet. Plotting the difference between actual and calculated RV versus radial distance of the proximal convergence shell for each flow rate from circular to rectangular orifices yielded curves conforming to a curvilinear function that crossed the point of zero difference at 1.0 cm. However, in the slitilke orifice, a more remote distance (1.6 cm) is required for the best agreement. Actual regurgitant stroke volume can be estimated well by the combined continuous-wave Doppler and proximal flow convergence method applying a simple hemispheric equation if an aliasing velocity is used that results in a radial distance of at least 1.0 cm.