This Article Full Text (PDF) Correction (v48,p661) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by JOHNSON, M. L. Articles by PATON, B. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by JOHNSON, M. L. Articles by PATON, B. C.

(Circulation. 1973;47:1274.)
© 1973 American Heart Association, Inc.

---

Echocardiographic Determination of Mitral Disc Valve Excursion

MICHAEL L. JOHNSON M.D.¹; JOSEPH H. HOLMES M.D.¹; BRUCE C. PATON M.D.¹

¹ From the Departments of Medicine, Radiology, and Surgery, University of Colorado Medical Center, Denver, Colorado.

Disc excursion and opening and closing velocities of prosthetic disc valves can be measured accurately by diagnostic echocardiography. The ultrasound beam is projected along the longitudinal axis of the valve and the echoes arising from the struts, disc, and suture ring are displayed on the oscilloscope. Twenty-four patients with normally functioning mitral Beall valves of various sizes and three patients with prosthetic valve dysfunction (one Beall, two Kay-Shiley) were studied. Table 1 lists the disc excursions with standard deviations of Beall valves measured by ultrasound.

The 0.06-0.09 cm difference in excursion between models no. 103 and no. 104 valves was detected by ultrasound without prior knowledge of change in design of the valve and demonstrates the extreme accuracy of this technic. The opening and closing disc velocity averaged 22 cm/sec and 40 cm/sec, respectively.

Decrease in expected disc excursion and abnormal motion patterns were found in three patients with prosthetic dysfunction secondary to thrombus formation, and verified at operation. With continuous changes in valve designs it is important to obtain a baseline excursion and motion pattern for each patient immediately postoperatively.

Echocardiography is a useful, noninvasive, reproducible technic for accurate assessment of prosthetic mitral disc valve movement.

Key Words: Ultrasound • Kay-Shiley valve • Diagnostic echocardiography • Prosthetic valve dysfunction • Beall valve • Prosthetic valve

Submitted on May 30, 1972
Accepted on February 5, 1973