Key result
Color Doppler echocardiography commonly detected physiological valvular regurgitation in healthy subjects, with aortic regurgitation prevalence increasing with advancing age to reach 46% in the 9th decade.
Why the study?
What is the prevalence of physiological valvular regurgitation in healthy subjects assessed by modern color Doppler echocardiography?
Cross-Sectional (n=1,333)
What is the prevalence of physiological valvular regurgitation in healthy subjects assessed by modern color Doppler echocardiography?
Physiological valvular regurgitation (AR, MR, TR) is highly prevalent in healthy subjects when assessed with modern echocardiography and should not be misclassified as pathological.
Supports caution against misclassifying mild regurgitation as pathological in older adults; leaves open prospective validation across populations.
BACKGROUND: Although echo Doppler machines have consistently advanced within a quarter of a century, age related prevalence of valvular regurgitation detected by currently available echo machines remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and correlates of valvular regurgitation in healthy individuals. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 1,333 apparently healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Echocardiographic examinations were performed using a currently available echo machine. Aortic regurgitation (AR) was detected less frequently (<10%) in younger subjects. Prevalence of aortic regurgitation increased with advancing age and reached 46% in their 9th decade. Mitral regurgitation (MR) was detected in two-thirds of the subjects >30 years old. Tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was frequently (>80%) detected in all age groups. In general, prevalence of valvular regurgitation was higher than those reported previously, except for a relatively lower prevalence of AR in the elderly population. Age was an independent correlate of AR and MR, but not of TR. The presence of AR and MR were independent correlates of TR. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy subjects, AR, MR or TR are commonly detected by using a current echo machine. These "physiological" valvular regurgitations should not be considered as a "pathological" valvular heart disease.
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Okura et al. (2011) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy subjects (n=1,333). Color Doppler echocardiography was evaluated on Prevalence of physiological valvular regurgitation. Color Doppler echocardiography commonly detected physiological valvular regurgitation in healthy subjects, with aortic regurgitation prevalence increasing with advancing age to reach 46% in the 9th decade.
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