Table 1 Angiographic grading of regurgitant severity of aortic and mitral valve [1].
From: Methods of estimation of mitral valve regurgitation for the cardiac surgeon
Grade | Aortic regurgitation | Mitral regurgitation |
|---|---|---|
1+ | Contrast refluxes from the aortic root into the left ventricle but clears on each beat | Contrast refluxes into the left atrium but clears on each beat |
2+ | Contrast refluxes into the left ventricle with a gradually increasing density of contrast in the left ventricle that never equals contrast intensity in the aortic root | Left atrial contrast density gradually increases but never equals left ventricle density |
3+ | Contrast refluxes into the left ventricle with a gradually increasing density such that left ventricle and aortic root density are equal after several beats | The density of contrast in the atrium and ventricle equalize after several beats |
4+ | Contrast fills the left ventricle resulting in an equivalent radiographic density in the left ventricle and aortic root on the first beat | The left atrium becomes as dense as the left ventricle on the first beat and contrast is seen refluxing into the pulmonary veins |