Role of multimodality imaging in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Abstract

Aortic stenosis is a common disorder. Aortic valve replacement is indicated for symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis, as the prognosis of untreated patients is poor. However, despite aortic valve replacement can produce dramatic benefit in the setting of aortic stenosis, morbidity and mortality associated with surgery has fostered a search for alternatives. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a novel method to treat selected high-risk patients with aortic stenosis. Patient screening and anatomic measurements of the aortic root, aortic cusp heights, and the distance between aortic annulus and coronary ostia, as well as the evaluation of coronary arteries and peripheral arterial disease are of great importance to ensure procedural success . This review outlines the evolving role of non-invasive multimodality imaging, including echocardiography, multidetector computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance, in support of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, and describes how the multimodality imaging approach is crucial in this clinical setting.