Recommendations for the imaging assessment of prosthetic heart valves: a report from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging endorsed by the Chinese Society of Echocardiography, the Inter-American Society of Echocardiography, and the Brazilian Department of Cardiovascular Imaging

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2016 Jun;17(6):589-90. doi: 10.1093/ehjci/jew025. Epub 2016 May 3.

Abstract

Prosthetic heart valve (PHV) dysfunction is rare but potentially life-threatening. Although often challenging, establishing the exact cause of PHV dysfunction is essential to determine the appropriate treatment strategy. In clinical practice, a comprehensive approach that integrates several parameters of valve morphology and function assessed with 2D/3D transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography is a key to appropriately detect and quantitate PHV dysfunction. Cinefluoroscopy, multidetector computed tomography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and to a lesser extent, nuclear imaging are complementary tools for the diagnosis and management of PHV complications. The present document provides recommendations for the use of multimodality imaging in the assessment of PHVs.

Keywords: cardiac magnetic resonance; cinefluoroscopy; computed tomography; echocardiography; nuclear imaging; prosthetic heart valve.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bioprosthesis*
  • Brazil
  • Cardiac Imaging Techniques*
  • China
  • Cineradiography / methods
  • Echocardiography / methods
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal / methods
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / methods
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis*
  • Humans
  • Internationality
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / methods
  • Multidetector Computed Tomography / methods
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Prosthesis Failure
  • Societies, Medical
  • United States