The Mitral Valve by Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

A comprehensive evaluation of patients with mitral valve disease must include an echocardiographic examination of the mitral valve apparatus and resultant hemodynamic changes due to mitral pathology. Three-dimensional echocardiography has impacted on the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse but has mostly existed in a research realm. After decades of development, three-dimensional echocardiography is now easily performed and readily incorporated in the assessment of mitral valve disease in daily clinical practice. Unique anatomic views of the mitral valve, accurate quantitative assessment of the mitral valve orifice area, and delineation of segmental prolapse are several advantages of three-dimensional echocardiography. Moreover, there is a wealth of data that can be derived from a three-dimensional volume, enabling more detailed analysis of mitral valve apparatus and valve annular dynamics. This review highlights current applications of three-dimensional echocardiography in the routine evaluation of mitral valve disease.