Modern approaches to the echocardiographic assessment of severe aortic regurgitation, indications for surgery

• Svetlana Yu. Bartosh-Zelenaya
• Tatiana V. Nayden
• Olesya A. Gyseva

Abstract

The review discusses methods for assessing severe aortic regurgitation using available modern echocardiography modes in accordance with the algorithm recommended by international communities. The advantages and limitations of each method are considered, starting with the morphological characteristics of the aorta and aortic valve in B-mode, qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment of aortic regurgitation severity in color, pulsed-wave and constant-wave Doppler, ending with the determination of quantitative parameters: effective regurgitation orifice area, regurgitation volume and fraction. Additional functional parameters, particularly, of the left ventricle, are given for an integrative definition of the aortic regurgitation severity. The indications for surgical treatment of aortic regurgitation, the principles of choosing the type of surgical operation are described.

Keywords:aortic regurgitation; echocardiography; effective regurgitation orifice area; regurgitation volume; aortic valve surgery; thoracic aorta

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