American Society of Echocardiography: recommendations for evaluation of the severity of native valvular regurgitation with two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography A report from the American Society of Echocardiography's Nomenclature and Standards Committee and The Task Force on Valvular Regurgitation, developed in conjunction with the American College of Cardiology Echocardiography Committee, The Cardiac Imaging Committee, Council on Clinical Cardiology, The American Heart

Abstract

Valvular regurgitation has long been recognized as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Although the physical examination can alert the clinician to the presence of significant regurgitation, diagnostic methods are often needed to assess the severity of valvular regurgitation and remodeling of the cardiac chambers in response to the volume overload state. Echocardiography with Doppler has recently emerged as the method of choice for the noninvasive detection and evaluation of the severity and etiology of valvular regurgitation. This article offers a critical review of echocardiographic and Doppler techniques used in the evaluation of valvular regurgitation in the adult patient, and provides recommendations for the assessment of severity of valvular regurgitation based on the scientific literature and a consensus of a panel of experts. Issues of medical management and timing of surgical intervention will not be addressed in this article, as these have been recently published[1]. Valvular regurgitation or incompetence results from various etiologies including valvular degeneration, calcification, fibrosis or infection, alteration of the valvular support apparatus or dilatation of the valve annulus. These conditions cause poor apposition of the valvular leaflets or cusps, and may lead to prolapse, flail, restricted leaflet motion or valvular perforation. With the advent of Doppler techniques that are sensitive to detection of regurgitation, trivial and physiologic valvular regurgitation, even in a structurally normal valve, is now well recognized and is noted to occur frequently in right-sided valves. The following sections describe general considerations of the role of echocardiographic and Doppler techniques in the evaluation of regurgitant lesions. ### Role of Two-dimensional echocardiography Two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography allows an evaluation of the valvular structure as well as the impact of the volume overload on the cardiac chambers. Calcifications, tethering, flail motion or vegetations can be readily assessed, which can give indirect clues as to the severity of regurgitation. While …