Pathophysiology

Anatomy

Aetiology & Mechanisms

Approach to Assessment

Overview of Approach

How should aortic stenosis (AS) be assessed using echo?

Qualitative Detection & Assessment of Mechanism
Using combination of:
  • Valve morphology assessment
  • Colour flow doppler trace assessment
  • Continuous wave doppler trace assessment
  • Pulsed wave doppler trace assessment
Assessment of Valve Anatomy
  • Valve morphology
Assessments of Severity and Valve Haemodynamics
  • Colour flow MR jet size / LA (%)
  • Vena Contracta size (mm)
  • Flow convergence zone / PISA (mm)
  • Dominant mitral inflow wave
  • Pulmonary vein systolic flow
  • MV inflow VTI/LVOT VTI
  • Continuous wave signal of MR jet
  • EROA - Regurgitant orifice area (cm²)
  • R vol - Regurgitant volume (mL)
  • Regurgitant fraction (%)
Assessment of Secondary Consequences
  • LA dilatation
  • LV dilatation
Assessment of Concomitant Findings
  • Valve morphology
Integration of Findings
  • Overall assessment of severity
  • Integration with symptoms and clinical features

Morphology, Aetiology & Mechanisms

Continuous Wave Doppler Signal

Colour Flow Doppler Signal

Secondary Consequences

Grading of Severity

Overview of Severity Grading

Which echo features are used to grade aortic Stenosis severity?

  • Severity encompasses a continuous spectrum of disease.
  • Measures of disease severity therefore need to be viewed in a continuous way – and definition of grades of severity are to some extent arbitrary.
  • In clinical practice recommended parameters for grading severity of AS are:
    • Maximum Aortic Jet Velocity
    • Mean transaortic pressure gradient
    • Velocity Ratio
    • Aortic valve area (AVA) using continuity equation
    • Indexed aortic valve area (AVA) using continuity equation

Which values are used to grade the severity of aortic stenosis?

Parameter
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Very Severe
Peak Velocity
2.5-2.9 m/s
3.0-3.9 m/s
4.0-4.9 m/s
≥5.0 m/s
Mean Gradient
<20 mmHg
20-39 mmHg
40-59 mmHg
≥60 mmHg
Vave Area (AVA)
>1.5 cm2
1.0-1.5 cm2
<1.0 cm2
≤0.6 cm2
Indexed Valve Area (AVA/BSA)
>0.85 cm2/m2
0.60-0.85 cm2/m2
<0.60 cm2/m2
-
Velocity Ratio
>0.5
0.25-0.5
<0.25
-

Peak Velocity

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Which values of peak velocity are used to grade severity of aortic stenosis?

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Very Severe

2.5-2.9 m/s
3.0-3.9 m/s
4.0-4.9 m/s
≥5.0 m/s

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Mean Gradient

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Which values of mean gradient are used to grade severity of aortic stenosis?

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Very Severe

<20 mmHg
20-39 mmHg
40-59 mmHg
≥60 mmHg

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Valve Area (Continuity Equation)

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Which values of continuity equation valve area (unindexed and indexed) are used to grade severity of aortic stenosis?

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Very Severe

>1.5 cm2
1.5-1.0 cm2
<1.0 cm2
≤0.6 cm2

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Valve Area (Plannimetry)

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Which values of aortic valve area (AVA) are used to grade the severity of aortic stenosis?

Mild

Moderate

Severe

Very Severe

>1.5 cm2
1.5-1.0 cm2
<1.0 cm2
≤0.6 cm2

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Velocity Ratio

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Which views are used to assess ….. in ….?

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Which values of velocity ratio are used to grade the severity of aortic stenosis?

Mild

Moderate

Severe

>0.5
0.25-0.5
<0.25

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Management

Overview