Use of three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography to evaluate mitral valve morphology for risk stratification prior to mitral valvuloplasty

Mitral stenosis is often managed percutaneously with an interventional procedure such as balloon commissurotomy. Although this often results in an increased mitral valve area and improved clinical symptoms, this procedure is not benign and may have serious complications including the development of hemodynamically significant mitral valve regurgitation. Multiple scoring systems have been developed to attempt to risk stratify these patients prior to their procedure. Case: A 64‐year‐old patient underwent an emergent mitral valve replacement after having percutaneous mitral balloon commissurotomy complicated by development of severe mitral regurgitation. Prior to valvuloplasty, her mitral valve was evaluated by traditional methods including calculation of a Wilkins score. Her mitral valve was evaluated after valvuloplasty and preoperatively with three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. This examination demonstrated heterogeneous distribution of calcification affecting the mitral valve commissures more than the leaflets, which is consistent with the noncommissural leaflet tearing that occurred during her procedure, causing severe mitral regurgitation. In the future, careful 3D evaluation of mitral valve morphology including leaflets, annular calcification, and subvalvular apparatus may help risk stratify patients prior to intervention.     

Anterior mitral valve perforation in the absence of acute infection: Diagnosis by two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

Anterior mitral valve leaflet (AMVL) perforation is most commonly seen in the setting of infective endocarditis. We present a case of AMVL perforation in a previously healthy 62‐year‐old male who presented with a six‐month history of worsening dyspnea and peripheral edema. Blood cultures, inflammatory markers, and autoimmune profile were negative. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated severe mitral regurgitation (MR) with a possible AMVL perforation, which was confirmed by three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography as a well‐circumscribed hole in the A2 segment. The patient made a successful recovery from mitral valve repair surgery.     

Usefulness of two‐ and three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in combined mitral valve‐in‐valve implantation and paraprosthetic leak closure

We demonstrate the usefulness of two‐ and live/real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in a procedure, which combined transcatheter mitral valve‐in‐valve deployment and paraprosthetic leak closure in the same setting using the less invasive transfemoral approach in an adult patient with bioprosthetic mitral valve degeneration. We also highlight the additive value of three‐dimensional echocardiography over the two‐dimensional technique.     

Comparison of intraoperative three-dimensional Doppler color flow mapping to assess mitral regurgitation

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) enables the determination of the vena contracta area (VCA), which is an approved parameter to quantify mitral regurgitation (MR). The aim of this study was to determine the VCA in the operative setting and to compare it to alternative 3D and standard 2D methods, with respect to different etiologies of MR. Methods: MR in 56 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery was evaluated using 2D and 3D TEE. VCA, vena contracta (VC), and effective regurgitation orifice area (EROA) by 3D and 2D flow convergence methods were determined. The correlations among the methods and the determined areas were evaluated. Results: EROA determination using 3D flow convergence areas correlated strongly with VCA (r = 0.653), however the resulting areas were considerably smaller. VC measurements in the 3D data set correlated slightly less (r = 0.629). EROA, which was determined using 2D flow convergence areas, showed the strongest correlation among the 2D methods (r = 0.406). 2D VC measurements showed weak to no correlation with VCA. Although a correlation was detected when using the biplane method or the midesophageal long-axis view to measure VC, statistical significance was only reached in functional MR and MR due to simple prolapse. Conclusions: Intraoperative 3D methods to determine MR were feasible and showed improved correlation with VCA compared to 2D measurements. The agreement of 2D methods with VCA declined from functional MR to MR due to prolapse. We recommend the utilization of 3D color Doppler for intraoperative evaluation of MR, especially in patients with complex mitral valve prolapses.     

Quantification of mitral regurgitation by the proximal flow convergence method--comparison of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography

BACKGROUND: No dataexist to indicate whether transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are of comparable value for the detection and quantification of mitral regurgitation using the proximal flow convergence method. HYPOTHESIS: The study was performed to compare the value of TTE and TEE for the detection and quantification of mitral regurgitation using this method. METHODS: The study included 57 patients with and 11 patients without mitral regurgitation. In all patients, the proximal flow convergence region was imaged by transthoracic and transesophageal color Doppler echocardiography, and proximal isovelocity surface area radii were determined. In 19 patients, monoplane TEE and in 49 patients multiplane TEE was performed. Thirty-one patients with mitral regurgitation underwent cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: Both methods had a comparable sensitivity for the detection of mitral regurgitation. Proximal isovelocity surface area radii derived from TTE and TEE agreed moderately (mean difference -0.5 +/- 1.3 mm). TTE and TEE correlated significantly with the angiographic grade (rank correlation coefficients 0.83 and 0.81), and both differentiated mild to moderate from severe mitral regurgitation with an accuracy of 90%. Regurgitant volumes derived from both echocardiographic techniques and cardiac catheterization correlated moderately (correlation coefficients between 0.67 and 0.81). CONCLUSIONS: TTE and TEE were of comparable value for the detection and quantification of mitral regurgitation using the proximal flow convergence method.     

经食管实时三维超声心动图对退行性二尖瓣病变瓣膜装置的定量研究

目的:定量研究退行性二尖瓣病变瓣膜装置立体结构特点,分析引起瓣膜反流的机制。方法:30例二尖瓣退行性病变大量反流病例组,25例无二尖瓣反流瓣膜结构功能正常对照组,分别进行经食管实时三维超声检查(Live 3D-TEE),测量2组收缩期时二尖瓣装置参数进行统计学分析,病例组术前诊断病变部位与术中所见做对照。结果:Live 3D-TEE对二尖瓣P2区病变诊断敏感性和特异性最高。病例组二尖瓣环各参数均较对照组增大,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。2组瓣叶间及瓣叶与瓣环间夹角、瓣叶隆起高度和容积、二尖瓣环与主动脉瓣环间夹角差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。病例组二尖瓣叶长度、面积、脱垂高度和容积均大于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:Live 3D-TEE能够定量评估退行性二尖瓣病变瓣膜立体结构,分析病变引起二尖瓣反流机制,帮助外科有针对性的制定详尽精确的瓣膜成形手术方案。     

Shone's syndrome: Insights from three‐dimensional echocardiography

Shone's syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly defined as the presence of at least two of the following heart obstructions: a mitral supravalvular ring, a “parachute” mitral valve stenosis, subaortic stenosis, and aortic coarctation. A 58‐year‐old man presented with a mitral ring and a “parachute” mitral valve on two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography, raising suspicion of Shone's syndrome. Three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography revealed a subannular mitral ring inserted directly on the mitral leaflets, thus acting as a “valvar ring.” This distinction can have therapeutic implications as a “valvar” mitral ring could require valve repair or replacement, instead of simple resection.     

Morphologic features of carcinoid heart disease as assessed by three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

Background: Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is a rare cause of valvular heart disease and carries a poor prognosis. CHD has a unique morphology and echocardiographic features that predominantly involve right‐sided valvular structures. The diagnosis of CHD is usually made by two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). With the superior spatial resolution of real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE), structural changes that occur in patients with CHD‐associated valvular heart disease can be examined in greater detail. We undertook this study to examine the incremental value of 3DTEE in the diagnosis of CHD. Methods: A total of four patients with CHD underwent TTE, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and 3DTEE as part of their routine clinical evaluation. Results: TTE and TEE for all four patients revealed thickened, fibrosed, retracted, and malcoapted tricuspid leaflets with wide‐open tricuspid valve regurgitation. 3DTEE en face imaging of the tricuspid valve demonstrated the characteristic morphologic features of CHD more clearly in all four patients. Conclusions: 3DTEE provides substantial incremental value over TTE in the assessment of characteristic CHD pathology and thus enhances the echocardiographic diagnosis of CHD. (Echocardiography 2010;27:1098‐1105)     

Two‐ and Three‐dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiographic Assessment of Tricuspid Valve Prolapse with Mid‐to‐Late Systolic Tricuspid Regurgitation

We present the two‐dimensional echocardiographic findings of tricuspid valve prolapse with mid‐to‐late systolic tricuspid regurgitation and describe the incremental value provided by live/real time three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. We also discuss a potential pitfall when assessing the severity of regurgitation in this setting.