Evaluation of Prosthetic Valve Function With Cardiovascular Imaging

Publication Date: January 3, 2024

Last Updated: January 3, 2024

Summary of Key Points

The different types of PHVs must be understood before assessing the hemodynamics of PHV function. Knowledge of the type and size of the valve in a particular patient is important.
Bioprosthetic valve dysfunction can be divided into the following categories: SVD, nonstructural valve dysfunction, thrombosis, and endocarditis.
A comprehensive assessment of prosthetic valve function includes echocardiographic imaging (2D and 3D), Doppler evaluation, and pertinent clinical information.
Stress echocardiography can be useful to evaluate symptoms in patients with prosthetic valves.
Two-dimensional TEE and 3D TEE remain the mainstay for intraoperative and intraprocedural guidance for PHV deployment.
CT and CMR provide complementary and valuable information to a transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation of PHV. CT is particularly helpful in assessing valvular anatomy, while CMR can provide hemodynamic evaluation.