Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2003;11:193-197
© 2003 Asia Publishing EXchange Ltd
Doppler Echocardiographic Evaluation of Prosthetic Valves in Tricuspid Position
Shigeaki Aoyagi, MD,
Hiroshi Tomoeda, MD,
Hiroshi Kawano, MD,
Shogo Yokose, MD,
Shuji Fukunaga, MD
Department of Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
For reprint information contact: Shigeaki Aoyagi, MD Tel: 81 942 35 3311 Fax: 81 942 35 8967 email: aoyagi{at}med.kurume-u.ac.jp Department of Surgery (2), Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan.
Doppler echocardiographic characteristics of 29 normally functioning prosthetic valves (23 mechanical, 6 biological) and 8 obstructed mechanical prostheses in the tricuspid position are reported. In normally functioning prostheses, peak velocity, mean pressure gradient, and pressure-half time were 1.25 ± 0.18 m•sec-1, 2.6 ± 1.1 mm Hg, and 122.6 ± 30.7 msec, respectively. Although no significant differences were seen in peak velocity and mean pressure gradient between mechanical and biological valves, the pressure half-time was significantly greater in biological valves. All normally functioning prostheses had a mean pressure gradient 5.5 mm Hg and pressure half-time < 200 msec. In obstructed bileaflet valves, peak velocity was 1.66 ± 0.28 m•sec-1, mean pressure gradient was 6.1 ± 2.8 mm Hg, and pressure half-time was 265.8 ± 171.7 msec. These Doppler data were significantly greater than those in normally functioning valves where the mean pressure gradient was 5.1 mm Hg and the pressure half-time was 156 msec in all except one patient. Pathological obstruction of a tricuspid prosthesis can be strongly suspected in patients with a mean pressure gradient > 5.5 mm Hg and a pressure half-time > 200 msec on Doppler echocardiography.
Copyright © 2003 by the Asia Publishing EXchange Ltd.
