TEE and Aortic valve

Ali Alshehri, MD DHC, Saudi Aramco

Sept, 29th, 2011

Gorlin formula has the following limitations

except:1. in AR, the area may be falsely elevated2. CO in Afib must be averaged on few beats3. peak – peak gradient is required4. SEP must be calculated

Q #1

All are true about planimetry for AV except1. ME SAX view is preferred2. Correlates well with cath derived AVA3. Depends on adequate CO4. Significant calcifications decreases the

accuracy

Q #2

The following is true regarding pressure g

across AV1. Doppler derived MIG approximates catheter

MIG2. Peak to peak gradient is the highest gradient3. Doppler MIG approximates cath PPG4. All true

Q# 3

Turning: turning the shaft of the probe to the left or right.

Rotating: rotating the transducer forward (towards 180°) or backward (towards 0°).

Withdrawing and advancing: moving the probe further out of, or further into, the oesophagus.

Anteflexing and retroflexing: moving the tip of the probe forwards or backwards.

Movements of the probe

Bicuspid AV

Normal Aortic valve area 2.6-3.5 cm2. Severe AS defined as: Area <1.0cm2 Mean gradient >40 mmHg Peak velocity >4.0 m/s

Subaortic membrane

Bicuspid AV

Ascending aortic aneurysm

ME 5 chamber view ME short axis view ME long axis view TG long axis view DTG LAX view

TEE views to assess AV

ME 5 chamber view:

Is part of the starting 4 chamber view with small withdrawal of the probe to show the aortic leaflets. Not used commonly because of better other views.

ME 5 chamber view

Quadricuspid AV

ME short axis view Image setting: Angle

25- 45 degrees Sector depth :10-12 cm Probe adjustment:

Neutral Primary use: AS, valve morphology Required structures: 3 valve leaflets, commissures,

coaptation point

ME short axis view

ME long axis view Image setting: Angle 115- 130 degrees Sector depth: 8-10 cm Probe adjustment: neutral Primary use: Aortic valve pathology, ascending aorta and root, LVOT pathology Required structures: LVOT (>1cm prox to AV) ascending Ao(>1cm distal to

STJ)

Aortic dissection

ME long axis view

TG long axis view Image setting: Angle 110- 130 degrees sector depth 12 cm probe adjustment: neutral- leftward Primary use: Doppler assessment

of AV, LVEF AV and VOT at 4 o’clock

Technique: from TG 2 chamber , the probe is rotated to 120 degrees with Lt ward rotation of the probe

TG long axis view

DTG LAX view Image setting: Angle 0 degrees Sector depth : 16cm Probe adjustment:

Anteflexed Primary use: AV

morphology, LVOT Doppler assessment of AV Technique: probe advanced to LV apex, anteflexed and slightly withdrawn with rotation of

the probe to the Lt.

DTG LAX view

Fibroelastoma

2D assessment of valve morphology, commissures, coaptation point. Doppler interrogation( Bernoulli

equation) AVA ( continuity equation) Planimetry Dimensionless Index

Assessment of AS

All planimetric techniques are limited because of an inability to determine whether the actual minimal orifice is being imaged or whether the plain chosen for measurement is at an angle o the true minimal orifice.

Planimetry

Planimetry of AV

Technique: 1- all 3 leaflets should be in view 2- use colour doppler with minimal gain to adjust depth and angle 3- gain setting to minimum to show orifice 4- use tracing caliber of machine to trace orifice Aim: get the narrowest orifice reduce the blooming artifact

Planimetry

The accuracy of planimetry has been assessed by comparing it to the “ gold standard” reference used in cath lab, The Gorlin equation: AVA = CO/ 44.3(SEP)(HR) MG( square root) so AVA is dependent on CO and mean gradient

Planimetry

TEE is considered superior to TTE because of it’s higher resolution in measuring the AV orifice more accurately.

Stoddard, reported good correlation with TTE and superior correlation with cath .(AHJ 1991)

Planimetry

Hoffman, showed excellent correlation of TEE with Gorlin formula determined area.(JACC, 1993)Planimetry is not affected by CO changes and is considered by some more accurate in high and low CO.

Hoffman et al, JACC 1993

This is mostly seen in heavily calcified valves

Peak gradient = 4(Vmax)2( peak aortic velocity)

Mean gradient= 2.4 (Vmax)2 Excellent correlation with cath measured MG Echo measures peak instantaneous gradient Cath measures peak to peak gradient Use modified Bernoulli equation in AI or high

CO : peak gradient = 4(V max) 2-(LVOT V)2

Doppler gradient

AVA= TVI LVOT X AREALVOT/ TVI AV

LVOT measured endo-endo at mid systole at insertion point of the leaflets. Usually done in ME ling axis view.

LVOT area 3.14X r2= 3.14X(D/2)2 Measured with PW at measurement site “Envelope in envelope” method also used

Continuity equation

Unless a clearly defined velocity envelope can be seen, no quantitative estimate of severity should be done.

Continuity equation

DI= LVOT TVI/ AV TVI Severe AS< 0.25 Helpful when LVOT measurement is in

doubt( disproportionately high or low area to the measured gradient)

For follow up of prosthetic aortic valve

Dimensionless Index

History: Mr K, 56y old male, chemical engineer. Newly diagnosed diabetes Seen in ophthalmology clinic for decreased Rt eye

vision for 1 week and diagnosed with retinal He Admitted 1 week later with fatigability X1month,

fever and intermittent memory lapses noted by wife.

No recent dental work.

Case presentation

Exam: BP 140/50. PR 90/min, temp 39.0C No peripheral sings if IE Grade II diastolic murmur at Rt upper chest

Labs: WBC 20.0, Hb 11.8, plat 328,000 ESR 80, CRP 14, crea 1.2 ECG: normal CXR: mild cardiomegaly, no congestion B culture: Sterptococcus aginiosus

Further W/U TTE TEE CT chest: 5.1 cm aortic root and ascending aorta.

TTE: Ejection Fraction = 50-55%. Left ventricular systolic

function is normal. There is mild mitral regurgitation. There is a moderate size vegetation or mass on the aortic valve. Aortic valve is thickened looks morphologically Bicuspid and prolapsing in diastole. Moderate to sever aortic regurgitation. There is an eccentric jet of aortic insufficiency directed against the anterior mitral leaflet. The right ventricular systolic function is normal. The left ventricle is severely dilated. Possible mitral vegetation also seen.

TEE: TEE confirms endocarditis on congenital bicuspid

aortic valve The aortic valve is bicuspid. There is a large vegetation or mass o the aortic valve. Moderate aortic regurgitation. Volume overloaded LV due to aortic regurgitation .Vegetation length is approximately 16 mm. There i also significant thickening of the large non coronary cusp which could be a vegetation. No abscess is seen. Possible mitral vegetations also.

CT chest: 5.1 cm aortic root and ascending aorta.

Patient became a febrile. No heart failure. Memory lapses improved.

Referred to KFSH for surgery after completing 3 weeks of IV antibiotics.

At surgery, both AV and MV infected with perforation. No abscess seen.

29mm carbomedics valved conduit+ MVR done

Completed another 3 weeks of IV antibiotics.

Back to our patient

Thank you