No abstract

Few data are available regarding cross-sectional echocardiography (2-D) in the diagnosis and quantification of valvular aortic stenosis. Therefore, we compared echographic measurements obtained by 2-D echo with aortic gradient and aortic valve area and index calculated by the Gorlin formula in 20 normal subjects and 85 patients with clinical evidence of aortic stenosis. Technically adequate echograms were obtained in 72 patients (85%). Forty-six patients with satisfactory echograms were classified as having critical aortic stenosis, while 26 were designated as having noncritical obstruction. Aortic leaflet separation (SEP) was measured as the maximal intercusp distance visualized in either long, apical or short axis of the 2-D echo. SEP was less in critical aortic stenosis patients than in normal subjects and those with noncritical aortic stenosis (4.6 ± 0.4, 19.4 ± 0.5, and 10.0 ± 0.8 mm, respectively [mean ± SEMI [both p < 0.0011) and was greater than