Static and dynamic analysis of the mitral valve annulus in normal subjects: a three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography study

Reference values for mitral valve annulus (MVA) by 3D transthoracic echo (3D-TTE) are lacking. Thus, we acquired 3D-TTE data sets ofMV (33+4 vps) in 119 healthy volunteers (44+14 yrs; 55 M). A prototype software for 3D TTE (4D MVanalysis 2.3, TomTec, D) was used to measure MVA parameters atMV closure, peak-minim,mid- and end- systole.We excluded 9 subjects due to poor MV tracking (feasibility 93%). MVA reached lowest area close afterMVclosure (MVAareachange=29+5%), mostlydue to antero-posteriordiameter shortening (20+7%) (Figure). Lateral-medial diameter and circumference showed smaller changes (12+4% and 11+3%). MVA size differed between genders, being related to body size but not to age (table, figures). MVA static and dynamic sizing by 3D-TTE are highly feasible. Our data may foster their implementation in clinical settings