Orifice-view roentgenography for evaluation of the aortic valve.

Plain orifice-view roentgenograms permit measurement of the area circumscribed by calcium in patients with heavily calcified aortic valves. The measurements relate well to the actual size of the orifice. Therefore, this roentgenographic technique serves in a practical fashion as a non-invasive method for the assessment of the severity of the aortic stenosis in such patients. During the injection of contrast material, orifice-view roentgenograms serve as a useful adjunct to standard aortography. Such views permit assessment of the valvular leaflets, size of the aortic ring, and the degree of stenosis.