Background: Mitral regurgitation (MR) is one of the most common derangement of native valves and increases in prevalence with age. We aimed to compare the accuracy of the vena contracta area measurement (VCA) by 3-dimensional transesophageal (3D-TEE) versus transthoracic echocardiography (3D-TTE) for assessment of the severity of mitral regurgitation.
patient and methods: This study was conducted on 40 patient attending to Al-Hussein University and National heart institute during the time of the study who had primary MR diagnosed by 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D TTE). Echocardiography was done for each patient to measure: VCA by 3D-TTE and 3D-TEE considering 3D-TEE PISA (proximal isovelocity surface area) as a gold standard reference for MR severity.
Results: A comparison between 3D PISA-TEE in the grading of MR, 25 patient had severe MR, 8 patient had moderate, and 7 patient had moderate to severe MR versus 3D TTE VCA, 23 patient had severe MR, 15 patient had moderate MR and only two patient had moderate to severe MR (P-value = 0.116). While versus the 3D TEE VCA, 23 had severe MR, 17 patient had moderate and moderate to severe MR (P-value = 0.024*).
Conclusion: Assessment of MR grading by measuring of VCA using 3D TEE method comparatively to 3D TTE method showed that no much difference, considering 3D TEE PISA as a gold standard reference.