Diagnosis and Assessment of Tricuspid Regurgitation with Doppler Ultrasound

Abstract

Velocity of blood flow through the tricuspid valve was recorded noninvasively by Doppler ultrasound with a combined pulsed and continuous wave (cw) Doppler (Pedof) [1]. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was diagnosed when reverse flow in systole, originating at the tricuspid orifice, could be followed back into the right atrium (RA) (Figure 1). With significant tricuspid regurgitation, forward flow across the valve increases, and assessment of the degree of regurgitation was attempted from the velocity of forward flow across the valve, the intensity of the Doppler signal from the regurgitant jet (increases with increased flow) and the extension of the TR in the right atrium. From these Doppler data the patients were divided in three groups, mild, moderate and severe regurgitation.