Evaluation of Prosthetic Valves

Abstract

Accreditation Statement: The American Society of Echocardiography is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continu-ing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The ASE designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditÔ. Phy-sicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and Cardiovascular Credentialing In-ternational recognize the ASE's certificates and have agreed to honor the credit hours toward their registry requirements for sonographers. The ASE is committed to ensuring that its educational mission and all sponsored educational pro-grams are not influenced by the special interests of any corporation or individual, and its mandate is to retain only those authors whose financial interests can be effectively resolved to maintain the goals and educational integrity of the activity. Although a monetary or professional affiliation with a corporation does not necessarily influence an author's presentation, the essential areas and policies of the ACCME require that any relationships that could possibly conflict with the educational value of an activity be resolved prior to publication and disclosed to the audience. Dis-closures of faculty and commercial support relationships, if any, have been indicated. Target Audience: This activity is designed for all cardiovascular physicians and cardiac sonographers with a primary interest and knowledge base in the field of echocardiography. In addition, residents, researchers, cli-nicians, intensivists, and other medical professionals with specific interest in cardiac ultrasound will find this activity beneficial. Objectives: Upon completing this article, participants will be better able to: 1. Name the components of a complete imaging and Doppler evaluation for prosthetic valve func-tion. 2. Identify the components of an integrative approach to assessing prosthetic aortic and mitral valve stenosis and regurgitation. 3. Identify the components of an integrative approach to assessing prosthetic pulmonary and tricus-pid valve stenosis and regurgitation. 4. Describe the pitfalls and limitations of the evaluation of prosthetic valve function. 5. Recognize the special aspects of the pediatric population that add complexity to the evaluation of prosthetic valve function.