Three-dimensional echocardiographic and surgical findings in mitral mechanical valve dysfunction

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2013 Apr;14(4):317-8. doi: 10.2459/JCM.0b013e328356a3e0.

Abstract

Periodic echocardiographic evaluation of valve function is recommended in all patients with prosthetic valves. Usually trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) is satisfactory to assess prosthetic function. Nevertheless when the TTE is suboptimal or in case of strong clinical doubt of prosthetic valve dysfunction, trans-esophageal echocardiography (TEE) remains the gold standard of imaging. Recent advancements in echocardiography, with the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, provide an incremental diagnostic value as compared to two-dimensional TEE. In addition, 3D-TEE gives unique views that add extra morphological and anatomical information, providing a very accurate presurgical evaluation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / methods
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal / methods
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Humans
  • Mitral Valve / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mitral Valve / surgery
  • Prosthesis Failure*
  • Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging