Utility of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the intraoperative assessment of mltral valve repair

Abstract

Objective To determine the usefulness of real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(RT-3D TEE) in the preoperative assessment of mitral valve (MV) pathology by comparing images with surgical findings and to evaluate the function of MV postoperatively. Methods Nineteen consecutive adult patients with established diagnosis of mitral regurgitation(MR) scheduled for surgical correction were enrolled. Intraoperative 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) were performed. All the 3D images were compared with findings obtained from direct surgical inspection. Postoperative RT-3D TEE was performed immediately to evaluate outcomes of mitral annuloplasty. Results Superb 3D-TEE en face views of the MV were obtained in all patients. Correct diagnoses of MV pathology in agreement with the surgical findings were made in 16 of 19 patients (84. 2%), however in the remaining 3 patients, the diagnoses were incorrect despite good image quality. In one, RT-3D TEE diagnosed prolapse of A2 segment and P2 scallop,which was not confirmed at surgery, but MV degeneration and annular dilatation were observed. In another one, RT-3D TEE revealed prolapse of P3 scallop, while at surgery prolapse involved P2 and P3 with ruptured chordae. In the rest one,surgically detected prolapse of P2 was missed by RT-3D TEE. On the other hand with 2D TEE,the diagnoses correlated poorly with surgical findings,only 10 patients were accurately diagnosed (52.6%). In some patients,2D TEE was able to identify the MVP, but it had difficulty in defining the exact location of the prolapsed segment or scallop. The severity of MR decreased significantly after surgery. MV repair was successful in all patients except one(5.1%), in whom moderate to severe MR was still present and MV replacement was conducted subsequently as an alternative.Conclusions RT-3D TEE provides excellent imaging of MV components, including the anterior and posterior leaflets, as well as annulus and subvalvular structures, which can be especially helpful in planning the most appropriate surgery strategy. RT-3D TEE offers exact anatomic characteristics of mitral annuloplasty rings and bands, providing additional information for the evaluation of surgical outcomes. Key words: Echocardiography,real-time three-dimensional; Echocardiography,transesophageal; Mitral valve repair