Abstract 12680: A Comparative Assessment of Echocardiographic Parameters for Determining Mitral Regurgitation Severity

Introduction: Guidelines suggest the use of several echocardiographic (Echo) parameters to assess mitral regurgitation (MR) severity using an integrated approach without guidance as how to weight each parameter. The aim of this study is to develop a hierarchy for Echo parameters of MR severity. Methods: This prospective study included 80 patients (63 ± 13 yrs, male 57%) with MR. Echo parameters including in this analysis were effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA), vena contracta (VC), LV EDD, color Doppler jet/LA area, the presence of a flail leaflet, and the presence of pulmonary vein wave systolic reversal. MR volume by MRI was calculated as the difference between the LV stroke volume and forward flow. A backward elimination multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine which Echo parameters predicted regurgitant volume by MRI. Results: Individual Echo parameters that correlated best with MR volume by MRI were EROA (r = 0.68, p <0.0001), VC (r = 0.62, p < 0.0001), and the presence of...