Gorlin Formula for Valve Area
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Select Valve Area Aortic Valve Area Mitral Valve Area
Cardiac Output (mL/min)
unit mL/min L/min
LV ejection time (Sec)
Heart Rate (/min)
Pressure gradient (mmHg)
R e s u l t s
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VA
 
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Gorlin Formula for Valve Area

The Gorlin Formula is clinically useful in determination of aortic and mitral valve areas. This is clinically used in evaluation of valvular stenosis (MS or AS) of either of these left heart valves.

This formula calculates the area of the orifice of a cardiac valve based upon flow across the valve and the mean pressures in the chambers on either side of the valve.

The formula used is:

  • VA = [CO/(SEP*HR)]/[44.3*C*(DELTAP)½]
  • VA = Valve Area (cm 2 )
  • C = Cardiac Output (mL/min)
  • SEP = LV ejection time (sec)
  • HR = Heart Rate (/min)
  • C = 1 for the AV and 0.85 for the MV.
  • DELTA P = pressure gradient in mmHg across the valve

* Caution: Gorlin Formula may overestimate Valve Area.

Items tbe entered in the equation:

  • Selection of valve being assessed (Mitral/Aortic)
  • Cardiac Output
  • LV ejection time
  • Heart Rate
  • Pressure gradient

Interpretation:

  • Mitral Valve
    • Normal: 4.0-6.0 cm 2
    • Mild MS: >1.5-<4.0 cm 2
    • Moderate MS: 1.0-1.5 cm 2
    • Critical MS: <1.0 cm2
  • Aortic Valve
    • Normal: 3.0-4.0 cm 2
    • Mild AS: >1.5-<3.0 cm 2
    • Moderate AS: 1.0-1.5 cm 2
    • Critical AS: <1.0 cm 2

References:

  • Chambers JB, Sprigings DC, Cochrane T, et al. Continuity equation and Gorlin formula compared with directly observed orifice area in native and prosthetic aortic valves. Br Heart J. 1992;67(2):193-9.
  • Charlson E, Legedza AT, Hamel MB. Decision-making and outcomes in severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. J Heart Valve Dis. 2006;15(3):312-21.
  • Gorlin R, Gorlin SG. Hydraulic formula for calculation of the area of the stenotic mitral valve, other cardiac valves, and central circulatory shunts. I. Am Heart J. 1951;41(1):1-29.
  • Hardawat BW, Tang WH, Heupler, Jr FA. Hemodynamics in the Cath Lab. In: Askari A, Shishehbor MH, Messerli AW, et al., eds. Introductory Guide to Cardiac Catheterization. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011:107-134.
  • Shipton B, Wahba H. Valvular heart disease: review and update. Am Fam Physician. 2001;63(11):2201-8.
  • Wippermann CF, Schranz D. Overestimation of valve area by the Gorlin formula. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1992;19(1):234-5.