Tiger stripe: an innocuous Doppler artifact.

BACKGROUND

Tiger stripes, parallel bands within regurgitant Doppler spectra, are often ascribed to oscillating intracardiac structures. Their frequency and clinical relevance are unclear.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 4,567 transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) in adults between 18 and 65 years of age for tiger stripes on pulsed-wave (PW)/continuous-wave (CW) Doppler and correlated with valve pathology, presence of oscillating masses, and clinical findings.

RESULTS

Tiger stripes occurred in 5.4% of studies (95% CI 4.8-6.1%), predominantly with mitral and aortic regurgitation jets (MR/AR) and high-velocity tricuspid regurgitation (TR) jets. Stripes were not seen when oscillating masses were present, and were more conspicuous in mild-moderate jets and higher-velocity Doppler spectra. Audible Doppler cooing sound was common; no association with clinical musical murmurs.

CONCLUSIONS

Tiger stripes may represent a benign spectral Doppler artifact. In isolation, they should not prompt additional imaging for oscillating masses or be used to grade regurgitation severity.