A new method for quantitation of mitral regurgitation based on color flow Doppler imaging of flow convergence proximal to regurgitant orifice.

Abstract

Color flow Doppler provides new velocity information about the proximal FCR in patients with mitral regurgitation. According to the continuity principle, the maximal instantaneous regurgitant flow rate, obtained with the FCR method, may provide a quantitative estimate of the severity of mitral regurgitation, which is relatively independent of technical factors.