Echocardiographic Assessment of the Mitral Valve for Suitability of Repair: An Intraoperative Approach From a Mitral Center

Abstract

Intraoperative echocardiography of the mitral valve in the precardiopulmonary bypass period is an integral part of the surgical decision-making process for assessment of suitability for repair. Although there are comprehensive reviews in the literature regarding echocardiographic examination of the mitral valve, the authors present a practical stepwise algorithmic workflow to make objective recommendations. Advances in echocardiography allow for quantitative geometric analyses of the mitral valve, along with precise assessment of the valvular apparatus with three-dimensional echocardiography. In the precardiopulmonary bypass period, echocardiographers are required to diagnose and quantify valvular dysfunction, assess suitability for repair, assist in annuloplasty ring sizing, and determine the success or failure of the surgical procedure. In this manuscript the authors outline an algorithmic approach to intraoperative echocardiography examination using two-dimensional and three-dimensional modalities to objectively analyze mitral valve function and assist in surgical decision-making.

Keywords: 3D Echocardiography; Anesthesia; Mitral valve repair; Mitral valve replacement; Perioperative; Transesophageal echocardiography; algorithm.