Is the mitral valve area flow-dependent in mitral stenosis?: A dobutamine stress echocardiographic study

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of changes in flow rate on the mitral valve area (MVA) derived from two-dimensional echocardiographic planimetry and Doppler pressure half-time (PHT) methods in patients with mitral stenosis (MS). Background Dobutamine stress echocardiography has been proposed as a means of assessing the severity of MS. However, data regarding the effect of an increase in flow rate on MVA are limited. If MVA is indeed flow-dependent, this has important implications for the assessment of the severity of MS, particularly in the setting of reduced cardiac output (CO). Methods Dobutamine echocardiography was performed in 57 patients with isolated MS who were in sinus rhythm. The MVA was determined by planimetry and Doppler PHT methods. Results Cardiac output increased by ≥50% in 27 patients (group I) and by <50% in 30 patients (group II). In group I, the MVA by planimetry increased by only 10.6 ± 2% and the MVA by PHT increased by 21.9 ± 4.8%. These changes were similar to those observed in group II (10.7 ± 3% and 14.8 ± 4%, respectively; P = NS), despite a much smaller increase in CO. A clinically important change (from the severe to mild category) occurred in only one patient when using the PHT method and in none by planimetry. Conclusions Changes in flow rate result in small but clinically insignificant changes in echocardiographic MVA measurement. These methods provide an accurate assessment of MS severity in a majority of patients, independent of changes in flow rate.