Mitral and tricuspid valve anular diameter in normal children determined by two-dimensional echocardiography

Abstract

To establish normal values for atrioventricular valve anular diameter in children, we measured the diameter of the mitral and tricuspid valve anuli from 2-dimensional echocardiograms in 103 children aged 1 day to 15 years. Measurements of the mitral valve anulus were made from the parasternal long axis and the apical or subcostal 4-chamber views. The tricuspid valve was measured from the subcostal or apical 4-chamber view. Multiple regression analyses were performed comparing valve anular diameter to weight and body surface area and their respective square root, cube root and logarithmic functions. Mitral and tricuspid anular diameter increased in proportion to the logarithm of weight and body surface area. The best predictor of valve anular diameter was a logarithmic function of body surface area with a calculated correlation coefficient ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 for the 3 anular dimensions. Knowledge of the normal atrioventricular valve anular diameter should be useful in planning palliative or corrective surgery in children with congenital heart disease.