The Aortic Valve

Abstract

A detailed 2-D echocardiographic examination of the aortic valve is an important first step for evaluation of aortic valve disease. Transvalvular velocity and pressure gradients estimated from a continuous wave Doppler envelope directed through the aortic valve, planimetry of the aortic valve orifice, and/or a valve area estimation by the continuity equation are crucial for diagnosis of aortic stenosis. Several parameters obtained by color flow Doppler imaging (e.g., vena contracta) and by continuous wave Doppler imaging (e.g., pressure half time) can be used for diagnosis of aortic regurgitation.