Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography during percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair

Objectives

Catheter-based mitral valve clip repair is an effective procedure in selected patients with mitral regurgitation. Two-dimensional (2D TEE) is the primary imaging mode for guidance of mitral-clip procedures. Recently, real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT 3D TEE) has been used as an additional imaging mode. This review describes the use of 2D TEE and RT 3D TEE imaging during percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (mitral-clip).

Results

Compared to 2D TEE, RT 3D TEE provides additional information in several steps of the procedure including alignment of catheter trajectory, clip positioning and orientation of clip arms.

Conclusions

RT 3D TEE is a powerful new imaging tool that may become the technique of choice for guidance of mitral-clip procedures.