[Pulsed Doppler of the hepatic veins: a new test in the assessment of aortic insufficiency].

: In order to determine the value of the analysis of the hepatic vein flow pattern in the gradation of aortic regurgitation, two-dimensional and Doppler studies were carried out in 13 healthy individuals (control group) and 36 patients with aortic regurgitation (study group), in a prospective fashion. By 2-D and Doppler Echocardiography, aortic regurgitation was graded as mild in 5 patients, moderate in 13 and severe in the remaining. In 25 patients of the study group, hemodynamic and angiographic studies were available. Moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension was detected in 11 patients. Peak and integral velocities of the systolic, diastolic and "A" waves were measured on pulsed Doppler hepatic veins flow tracings. Both peak and integral hepatic vein diastolic flow velocities in postexpiratory apnea were significant lower in patients with severe aortic regurgitation with respect to the remaining study group patients and control group patients. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of severe aortic regurgitation were 100 and 67% respectively. An postexpiratory increase in the retrograde "A" wave was observed in 11 patients with severe and 6 with moderate aortic regurgitation. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of severe aortic regurgitation were 58 and 67% respectively. In this study, characteristic pulsed Doppler hepatic vein flow patterns are defined for patients with aortic regurgitation. Sensitivity and specificity of the findings allows the identification of severe AR. This results could have diagnostic and therapeutic implications.