Strengths and limitations of the imaging modalities in the evaluation of valvular heart disease
| Imaging modality | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Transthoracic echocardiography | ▸ High temporal resolution permits real-time evaluation and assessment of leaflet mobility ▸ Allows exercise imaging ▸ Longstanding experience on which present intervention guidelines are based | ▸ Interpretation may be limited if image quality poor |
| Transoesophageal echocardiography | ▸ As for transthoracic echocardiography, plus ▸ Superior image quality to transthoracic echocardiography | ▸ Invasive |
| Cardiovascular magnetic resonance | ▸ Permits accurate measurement of left ventricular volumes and systolic function ▸ Can identify myocardial fibrosis and ischaemic heart disease | ▸ Time consuming ▸ Limited availability |
| Multidetector row CT | ▸ Allows simultaneous evaluation of coronary artery disease ▸ High spatial resolution advantageous for planimetry of stenotic valves | ▸ Radiation exposure ▸ Poor temporal resolution limits evaluation of regurgitant lesions |