Value of parasternal long-axis vena contracta width for predicting severity of aortic regurgitation in left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Brain Natriuretic Peptide and the Severity of Aortic Regurgitation: Is There Any Correlation?

We aimed to evaluate the correlation between aortic regurgitation severity and brain natriuretic (BNP) levels as a marker for left ventricular dysfunction. Sixty consecutive male patients (mean age 22 ± 3 years) with isolated chronic aortic regurgitation were enrolled in the study together with a control group of 30 age-matched healthy volunteers (group A). Patients were classified with regard to aortic regurgitation vena contracta width as follows: group B, < 3 mm, mild ( n = 16); group C, ≥ 3 and < 6 mm, moderate ( n = 26); group D, ≥ 6 mm, severe ( n = 18). BNP measurements were performed with a fluorescence immunoassay kit. BNP levels were increased in patients with aortic regurgitation, and severity of regurgitation had a significant influence on BNP levels. This effect can be explained by the volume loading effect of aortic regurgitation.

Prediction of severity of isolated aortic regurgitation by echocardiography: an aortic regurgitation index study

BACKGROUND

No single precise qualitative method is recommended for evaluating the severity of aortic regurgitation (AR). Quantitative methods for AR assessment are, typically, cumbersome and time-consuming. The purpose of this study was to develop a more comprehensive method for predicting the severity of AR.

METHODS

In all, 79 patients with normal left ventricular systolic function and at least mild AR were included in this prospective study. The standard references for evaluating AR severity were quantitative methods. The AR index consisted of 5 echocardiographic parameters: jet width ratio, vena contracta width, pressure half-time, jet density, and diastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta. Each parameter was scored on a 3-point scale from 1 to 3. The AR index was calculated as the sum of each score divided by the number of parameters. Thus, an increasing AR index score from 1 to 3 was indicative of increasing regurgitation.

RESULT

The study demonstrated that the numeric value of AR index increased proportionately to the quantitative grading of AR severity, and proved to be an accurate predictor for AR severity. A 1.8 threshold for the AR index offered a high level of sensitivity and negative predictive value for severe AR. The possibility of missing severe AR was low with AR index less than 1.8. A 2.6 threshold for the AR index provided high specificity and positive predictive value for severe AR. The possibility of diagnosing severe AR was extremely high with AR index of 2.6 or more.

CONCLUSION

AR index provided a more comprehensive method for predicting the degree of AR severity in this study. We suggest that the AR index should be considered for any evaluation of the severity of AR.