Zoghbi et al identified echocardiographic features associated with regurgitation of a native pulmonic valve. These were reported by a subcommittee and task force of the American Society of Echocardiography in Conjunction with the American College of Cardiology.
Parameters:
(1) features of the pulmonic valve
(2) jet size on color Doppler echocardiography
(3) jet density on continuous wave echocardiography
(4) jet deceleration on continuous wave echocardiography
(5) pulmonic flow compared to systemic flow during systole on pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography
Parameter
Mild PVR
Moderate PVR
Severe PVR
pulmonic valve
normal
variable
abnormal
jet size (length)
thin with narrow origin
intermediate
large with broad origin
jet density
soft
soft or dense
dense
jet deceleration
slow
variable
steep with early termination of diastolic flow
increased pulmonic flow during systole
slight
moderate
marked
where:
• A jet < 10 mm in length is considered thin.
• Jet size has a poor correlation with regurgitation severity (Table 9).
• Steep deceleration in the jet is not specific for severe regurgitation (Table 9).
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