Doppler jet in mitral stenosis with regurgitation

Mitral Doppler interrogation is usually done from the apical four chamber view. Good colour Doppler jet is initially obtained and the Doppler cursor is then aligned parallel to it. Continuous wave is used as the velocity is much above the aliasing limit of pulsed Doppler. Since the mitral antegrade flow is towards the apex, the diastolic jet of mitral stenosis is displayed above the base line. Regurgitant jet into left atrium, being away from the apex, is displayed below the baseline. Mitral valve area can be calculated from the pressure half time of the initial downward slope of the mitral A wave, which fuses with the E wave in mitral stenosis. Lower the slope, lower the mitral valve area and higher the severity of mitral stenosis. Peak and mean mitral diastolic gradient is estimated by tracing out the outline of the mitral diastolic flow. In this case, though the mitral valve area by pressure half time is good (2.0 sq. cm), the mitral gradient is a bit high because of enhanced flow due to mitral regurgitation and the shortened diastole as a result of relatively fast heart rate (97/min). This is why beta blockers are used to lower heart rate and thereby the gradient in mitral stenosis. Lowering of gradient leads to lower left atrial and pulmonary venous pressure. This in turn reduces pulmonary congestion and exertional dyspnea. The intensity of mitral regurgitation (MR) jet indicates a mild to moderate mitral regurgitation. But the intensity of the jet can be lower if the cu...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Cardiology Echocardiogram Library Echocardiography Source Type: blogs