Introduction and objectives: Measurement of valvular annular area is necessary for valvular flow volumen quantification by Doppler echocardiography. The aim of this work was to compare normal valvular annular area values obtained in a necropsic and an echocardiographic series and to ascertain whether a relationship exists between these areas and several anthropometric variables.
Methods: Necropsic series: valvular annular area was measured in 20 hearts from deceased patients (age range: 9-79 years; mean 52 +/- 18) without cardiovascular disease. Echocardiographic series: Valvular annular area was determined in 156 patients (age range: 6-86 years; mean 37 +/- 20) without cardiovascular disease.
Results: Necropsic series: multiple regression analysis showed valvular annular area values to be related mainly to height (p < 0.001) but also to weight (p < 0.01). Correlations between valvular annular area and body surface were low (r = 0.64-0.75). Aortic annular area index was slightly lower than the pulmonary annular area index and half that of the mitral annular area index (2.2 +/- 0.4, 2.5 +/- 0.5 and 4.4 +/- 0.8 cm2/m2, respectively). Tricuspid annular area index was the largest (6.7 +/- 1.0 cm2/m2). ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC SERIES: Multiple regression analysis also showed a relationship between valvular annular area and height (p < 0.00001) and weight (p < 0.004). Correlations between valvular annular real values and body surface were poor (r = 0.45-0.71). Mean values of aortic, pulmonary and mitral valvular annular area indices were similar to those obtained in the necropsic series (2.1 +/- 0.2, 2.1 +/- 0.3, 4.1 +/- 0.6 cm2/m2, respectively). However, the tricuspid annular area index was clearly lower (4.5 +/- 0.6 cm2/m2, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Valvular annular area is influenced mainly by height, but also by weight. The correlation between these values and body surface is poor. Aortic annular area is similar to the pulmonary annular area and half that of the mitral annulus. Normal values determined by echocardiography and necropsy are similar, although tricuspid annular area by apical view is smaller than that obtained in the necropsic series.