Echocardiography Underestimates Stroke Volume and Aortic Valve Area: Implications for Patients With Small-Area Low-Gradient Aortic Stenosis

摘要

BackgroundDiscordance between small aortic valve area (AVA; < 1.0 cm²) and low mean pressure gradient (MPG; < 40 mm Hg) affects a third of patients with moderate or severe aortic stenosis (AS). We hypothesized that this is largely due to inaccurate echocardiographic measurements of the left ventricular outflow tract area (LVOTarea) and stroke volume alongside inconsistencies in recommended thresholds.