regurgitant volume
Quantitative measure of the amount of blood flowing backward through an incompetent cardiac valve during each cardiac cycle.
Full Definition
Regurgitant volume (RegVol) represents the absolute volume of blood that flows retrograde through a leaking cardiac valve during each heartbeat, typically measured in milliliters per beat. It is calculated as the difference between forward stroke volume and net forward flow, or through the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method in echocardiography. Regurgitant volume provides important quantitative assessment of valvular regurgitation severity, complementing qualitative visual assessments and color Doppler grading. Values > 60 mL/beat generally indicate severe regurgitation requiring surgical consideration, while values < 30 mL/beat suggest mild regurgitation.
Usage
Usage note: Report in mL/beat; severe regurgitation typically > 60 mL/beat.
In Context
- "The regurgitant volume across the mitral valve was calculated at 75 mL/beat, indicating severe mitral regurgitation." — Echocardiography quantification
- "Phase-contrast MRI measured an aortic regurgitant volume of 45 mL/beat, consistent with moderate severity." — CMR flow assessment