VELOCITY-GRADIENTS ACROSS NORMAL CARDIAC VALVES

Valvar stenoses are usually detected initially by auscultation and then confirmed by measuring a velocity gradient across a valve with Doppler echocardiography. One remaining unanswered question regards the maximal normal velocity gradient. This is a significant question since stenotic valves are associated with an increased risk of bacterial endocarditis.1 To approach the issue of what constitutes the maximal normal velocity gradient we measured velocity gradients across valves considered by physical examination to be normal. © 1991.