Measurement of peak aortic jet velocity in the perioperative period-machine variability: implications for assessment of aortic stenosis severity

Variation in echocardiography machines and probes are not well described in the perioperative period. We aimed to compare the estimation of severity of aortic stenosis with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) using two semi-portable ultrasound machines. Experienced cardiac anaesthetists performed a limited transthoracic echocardiogram with two different semi-portable ultrasound machines in patients with known aortic stenosis. The peak aortic jet velocity with continuous-wave Doppler and the time taken to obtain an acceptable envelope were recorded. The Sonosite M Turbo often underestimated the peak jet velocities (median jet velocity [IQR] 2.25 m/s [1.95 to 3.4] versus 3.85 m/s (3 to 4.2); P