[Role of echocardiography prior to to conservative treatment of mitral valvulopathy].
Echography is a key investigation in the diagnosis and follow up of patients with mitral valvulopathy. Recent advances in transthoracic imaging allow precise evaluation of the entire mitral apparatus in the majority of patients, which avoids recourse to the esophageal route especially for mitral insufficiency. On the other hand, TEE remains systematic in cases of stenosis when percutaneous commissurotomy is envisaged to look for intra-cavitary thrombosis. Echographic analysis has the objectives of defining the anatomical mechanism of the leak or stenosis, addressing aetiological arguments, quantifying the valvular dysfunction, and finally appreciating its repercussions (size of the left atrium, left ventricular function, pulmonary pressures). These elements, as well as evaluation of the symptoms, influence the therapeutic indications. The feasibility of conservative action, for which the significance compared to valvular replacement is known, depends directly upon the anatomical lesion and influences the therapeutic indications, especially in asymptomatic subjects for whom recent recommendations have been published. The experience of the ultrasonographer in the evaluation of mitral valvulopathies and his knowledge of conservative techniques allows improvement of the therapeutic discussion with the patient, the surgeon and the catheteriser. Performing TEE in the operative suite prior to conservative mitral surgery is practiced in many centres, as well as checking at the end of the procedure, especially for complex plasties. Three dimensional echography can currently be performed routinely by the transesophageal route, and probably in the near future by the transthoracic route, thanks to the recent arrival of real time 3D. Exercise echography also promises an important development thanks to the commercialization of new effort tables, and will allow refinement of the therapeutic indications in patients with few symptoms or for whom there is a discordance between the objective data and the functional status, but the therapeutic implications of this investigation remain to be defined.
Chauvel
C
C
Clinique Saint-Augustin, 144, avenue d'Arés, 33074 Bordeaux.
Bogino
E
E
Simon
M
M
Dehant
P
P
Cormier
B
B
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology