Prevalence of valvular regurgitation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

Sixty-seven adolescent scoliosis patients with thoracic curve (Lenke type 1, 3, and 6) and 16 nonthoracic curve patients (Lenke type 5) were evaluated with color Doppler echocardiography to identify and compare the prevalence and frequency of valvular regurgitation. Regurgitation of one or more valves was detected in 36 thoracic curve patients (53.73%) and seven nonthoracic curve patients (43.75%). Regurgitation with tricuspid valve involvement was statistically significant in patients with thoracic curve (P=0.0216). Frequency of tricuspid valve involvement was statistically significant (28.57 vs. 83.33%, P=0.0076) in patients with thoracic curve. Those without cardiac disease had a higher incidence of valvular regurgitation.