Pulmonary regurgitation

There are no specific criteria to grade severity of pulmonary regurgitation (PR). Severity of PR is usually assessed by the diameter of the jet at its origin immediately below the valve, in the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), on the parasternal short axis view. A jet width that occupies >65% of the RVOT is suggestive of severe PR.[8]Lancellotti P, Tribouilloy C, Hagendorff A, et al. European Association of Echocardiography recommendations for the assessment of valvular regurgitation. Part 1: aortic and pulmonary regurgitation (native valve disease). Eur J Echocardiogr. 2010 Apr;11(3):223-44. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20375260?tool=bestpractice.com ​​ Additionally, a dense continuous-wave Doppler signal with a sine wave appearance is suggestive of severe PR. Occasionally other modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography may need to be used to assess the right ventricular outflow tract and to identify the etiology of pulmonary regurgitation.

NYHA functional classification for stages of heart failure

• Class I: no limitation of activities; no symptoms from ordinary activities

• Class II: slight, mild limitation of activity; comfortable with rest or with mild exertion

• Class III: marked limitation of activity; comfortable only at rest

• Class IV: confined to bed or chair; any physical activity brings on discomfort, and symptoms occur at rest.