Planimetry by 2D echo (cm2)
Tracing mitral orifice using 2D echo
Concept:Direct measurement of anatomic MVA.
Advantages:Accuracy; Independence from other factors; Easy to obtain.
Disadvantages:Experience required; Not always feasible (poor acoustic window, severe valve calcification)
Pressure half-time (cm2)
220 / T1/2
Concept:Rate of decrease of transmitral flow is inversely proportional to MVA.
Advantages:Easy to obtain.
Disadvantages:Dependence on other factors (AR, LA compliance, LV diastolic function...)
Mean gradient (mmHg)
ΔP ∑4v2 / Ν
Concept:Pressure gradient calculated from velocity using the Bernoulli equation.
Advantages:Easy to obtain.
Disadvantages:Dependent on heart rate and flow conditions.
Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (mmHg)
sPAP = 4v2Tricuspid + RA Pressure
Concept:Addition of RA pressure and maximum gradient between RV and RA.
Advantages:Obtained in most patients with MS.
Disadvantages:Arbitrary estimation of RA pressure; No estimation of pulmonary vascular resistance.
Continuity equation (cm2)
MVA = (CSALVOT × VTIAortic)/VTIMitral
Concept:Volume flows through mitral and aortic orifices are equal.
Advantages:Independence from flow conditions.
Disadvantages:Multiple measurements (sources of errors); Not valid if significant AR or MR.
PISA (cm2)
MVA = π(r2)(VAliasing) / PeakVMitral × α/180°
Concept:MVA accessed by dividing mitral volume flow by the maximum velocity of diastolic mitral flow.
Advantages:Independence from flow conditions.
Disadvantages:Technically difficult.
Mean gradient & systolic pulmonary artery pressure at exercise (mmHg)
ΔP ∑4v2 / Ν
sPAP = 4v2Tricuspid + RA Pressure
Concept:Assessment of gradient and sPAP for increasing workload.
Advantages:Incremental value in assessment of tolerance.
Disadvantages:Experience required; Lack of validation for decision-making.

AR, aortic regurgitation; CSA, cross-sectional area; DFT, diastolic filling time; LA, left atrium; LV, left ventricle; LVOT, left ventricular outflow tract; MR, mitral regurgitation; MS, mitral stenosis; MVA, mitral valve area; MVres, mitral valve resistance; ΔP, gradient; sPAP, systolic pulmonary artery pressure; r, the radius of the convergence hemisphere, RA, right atrium; RV, right ventricle; T1/2, pressure half-time; v, velocity; VTI. velocity time integral; N, number of instantaneous measurements.