Extract

Abbreviations

AR = aortic regurgitation

AS = aortic stenosis

AVA = aortic valve area

CSA = cross sectional area

CWD = continuous wave Doppler

D = diameter

HOCM = hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

LV = left ventricle

LVOT = left ventricular outflow tract

MR = mitral regurgitation

MS = mitral stenosis

MVA = mitral valve area

ΔP = pressure gradient

RV = right ventricle

RVOT = right ventricular outflow tract

SV = stroke volume

TEE = transesophageal echocardiography

T 1/2 = pressure half-time

TR = tricuspid regurgitation

TS = tricuspid stenosis

V = velocity

VSD = ventricular septal defect

VTI =velocity time integral

I. Introduction

Valve stenosis is a common heart disorder and an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Echocardiography has become the key tool for the diagnosis and evaluation of valve disease, and is the primary non-invasive imaging method for valve stenosis assessment. Clinical decision-making is based on echocardiographic assessment of the severity of valve stenosis, so it is essential that standards be adopted to maintain accuracy and consistency across echocardiographic laboratories when assessing and reporting valve stenosis. The aim of this paper was to detail the recommended approach to the echocardiographic evaluation of valve stenosis, including recommendations for specific measures of stenosis severity, details of data acquisition and measurement, and grading of severity. These recommendations are based on the scientific literature and on the consensus of a panel of experts.

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