부산대학교 도서관

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0735-1097(97)00304-5 Byline: Xiaodong Zhou, Michael Jones, Takahiro Shiota, Izumi Yamada, Dag Teien, David J Sahn Abstract: Objectives. This study sought to evaluate the relation between the color Doppler-imaged vena contracta and the severity of mitral regurgitation (MR) in a chronic animal model of MR. Background. The vena contracta, which is defined as the smallest connection between the laminar flow acceleration zone and the turbulent regurgitant jet, has been reported to be a clinically useful marker for evaluating the severity of valvular regurgitation. Methods. Six sheep with chronic MR produced by previous operation severing the chordae tendineae were examined. MR jet flows and vena contracta widths were imaged using a Vingmed 775 scanner with a 5-MHz transducer. Image data were directly transferred in digital format to a microcomputer for off-line measurement. MR was quantified as peak and mean regurgitant flow rates, regurgitant stroke volumes and regurgitant fractions determined using mitral and aortic electromagnetic flow probes and flowmeters balanced against each other. Results. Vena contracta width correlated well with regurgitant severity determined by electromagnetic flowmeters (r = 0.95, SEE = 0.05 cm, p < 0.0001 for peak regurgitant flow rate; r = 0.85, SEE = 0.08 cm, p < 0.0001 for regurgitant stroke volume; r = 0.90, SEE = 0.07 cm, p < 0.0001 for regurgitant fraction). Conclusions. This study shows that the vena contracta width method is useful for predicting the severity of MR. It is simple and conveniently available with high resolution equipment. The quantitative comparisons in the present study lay the foundation for future clinical and research studies using this vena contracta technique. Author Affiliation: (A) Clinical Care Center for Congenital Heart Disease, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon, USA; (B) Laboratory of Animal Medicine and Surgery, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Article History: Received 24 February 1996; Revised 7 July 1997; Accepted 21 July 1997