Cardiac imaging of prosthetic valve dysfunction by transesophageal echocardiography

Abstract

Surgical implantation of a mechanical or biological prosthetic heart valve (PHV) with original structure and hemodynamics is conventional treatment of val-vular heart disease. All kinds of prosthetic valves are stenotic comparing with native valves. They should be imagined by being aware of their specific properties. PHV diseases (PHVD) describes situations like obstruction , thromboembolism and regurgitation which also have characteristic images. Determining the cause and severity of PHVD is mandatory for selection of treatment method. Knowledge about PHVD and correct usage of cardiac imaging methods facilitate diagnosis. Most helpful diagnostic test for PHVD is tran-sesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The aim of this review is to describe TEE in PHVD, TEE imaging characteristics of some special PHVD and clinical guidance of TEE in PHV problems.