title: 3D-echo in preoperative assessment of aortic cusps effective height.
abstract: Effective height, which represents the height difference between the central free margins and the aortic insertion lines can be easily determined by 2-D echocardiography and allows for identification of prolapse in the native cusps and assessment of prolapse correction after valve repair. Nonetheless, it allows to see only two of three aortic valve (AV) coaptation planes and this may lead to misunderstanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanism for aortic regurgitation and hence in unsuccessful repair. In contrast, 3D transoesophageal echocardiography and multiple plane reconstruction lets visualize all the three coaptation planes between the AV cusps and it represents an invaluable tool in the assessment of aortic valve geometry. It is highly recommendable before AV repair to accurately study the complex three dimensional cusps anatomy and their geometric interrelation with aortic root.
authors: Jan Nijs, Bastian BLJH Kietselaer, Orlando Parise, Mark La Meir, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, 1020 Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Nijs
authors: Jan Nijs, Bastian BLJH Kietselaer, Orlando Parise, Mark La Meir, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, 1020 Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Sandro
authors: S
authors: Gelsomino
authors: Jan Nijs, Bastian BLJH Kietselaer, Orlando Parise, Mark La Meir, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, 1020 Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Bastian Bljh
authors: BB
authors: Kietselaer
authors: Jan Nijs, Bastian BLJH Kietselaer, Orlando Parise, Mark La Meir, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, 1020 Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Orlando
authors: O
authors: Parise
authors: Jan Nijs, Bastian BLJH Kietselaer, Orlando Parise, Mark La Meir, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, 1020 Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Fabiana
authors: F
authors: Lucà
authors: Jan Nijs, Bastian BLJH Kietselaer, Orlando Parise, Mark La Meir, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, 1020 Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Jos G
authors: JG
authors: Maessen
authors: Jan Nijs, Bastian BLJH Kietselaer, Orlando Parise, Mark La Meir, Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Hospital, 1020 Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Mark La
authors: ML
authors: Meir
keywords: Aortic prolapse; Aortic repair; Aortic valve; Echocardiography