Echocardiography in structural cardiac interventions

Abstract

Echocardiography plays an important role in the assessment of structural heart disease. The work-up for the assessment for structural interventions often requires a combination of both transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal (TEE) imaging. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography provides added value to tradi- tional two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography, allowing for definition of anatomi- cal and spatial relationships. Echocardiography is portable and easily accessible, whilst avoiding the need for radiation and contrast making it the preferred mode of imaging in the cardiac catheterisation lab.