Latest guidelines published for evaluating prosthetic heart valves

According to the guidelines published by the American Society of Echocardiography, Journal of the American Society of Echocardiographypresents the latest recommendations for assessing prosthetic heart valve (PHV) function in patients with prosthetic heart valves (PHVs).

Echocardiography is the tool of choice for the initial evaluation and management of PHV, said William A. Zogbi, M.D., of Houston Methodist Hospital, and colleagues. A comprehensive approach is required to assess valve structure and function. Color and spectral Doppler play a central role in evaluating prosthetic valve function and associated complications.

Assessment of prosthetic valve function is limited by the fact that visualization of the prosthetic valve structure and occlusion device by transthoracic echocardiography is suboptimal, and the effects of valve hemodynamics and orifice area on a wide range of prosthetic valve types and sizes. It is more difficult than the native valve because of the inherent variability.

Patients with suspected prosthetic valve dysfunction often require advanced imaging studies to determine the mechanism of dysfunction and severity of regurgitation.

Computed tomography (CT) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) complement echocardiography in addition to the traditional role of two-dimensional and three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography to assess valve dysfunction has emerged as a powerful diagnostic imaging method. CT provides high-resolution imaging with unique advantages over mechanical valves. The main strength of CMR is its ability to quantify the severity of reflux.

“These new guidelines for prosthetic valves were much needed, as the field has changed significantly since 2009, including the introduction of percutaneous valves, 3D echocardiography, and improvements in multimodality imaging,” said Zoghbi. said in a statement.