July 2003

Valvular regurgitation has long been recognized as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Although the physical examination can alert the clinician to the presence of significant regurgitation, diagnostic methods are often needed to assess the severity of valvular regurgitation and remodeling of the cardiac chambers in response to the volume overload state. Echocardiography with Doppler has recently emerged as the method of choice for the non-invasive detection and evaluation of the severity and etiology of valvular regurgitation. This document offers a critical review of echocardiographic and Doppler techniques used in the evaluation of valvular regurgitation in the adult patient, and provides recommendations for the assessment of severity of valvular regurgitation based on the scientific literature and a consensus of a panel of experts.