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Nowadays, the diagnosis of cardiac myxomas (CM), particularly the histological types, remains a challenge. Two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic (TT) and transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography (ECHO) represent the first steps in the imaging pathway. 3D ECHO, implemented in imaging practice, appears to be an emerging diagnostic technique that overcomes some of the limitations of 2D ECHO while integrating the information provided by magnetic resonance (MRI). However, its role in the imaging arena is still debatable. Analyzing 17 myxomas in 13 patients, the study uncovers a diverse anatomical spectrum. Classical CM morphology is a minority, with most myxomas being sessile and originating from unexpected locations (right ventricular outflow tract and left atrial appendage). Texture and size variations are also noted. Comparing imaging, 2D TEE outperforms 2D TT in visualizing anatomical features, especially attachment types. 3D TEE confirms 2D TT findings and offers more detailed assessments, identifying peduncles missed in four cases by 2D TEE. Two small recurrent myxomas were exclusively detected by 3D TEE, not by 2D TEE or MRI. Two patients have papillary myxomas, one has an embolism. Another patient with a solid myxoma also suffers an embolism, with a clot found at the apex during surgery. Our study showed that CM has a wide anatomical spectrum beyond the typical features, making the diagnosis challenging. Therefore, a multimodality imaging approach is essential for distinguishing CM from other cardiac masses and differentiating myxoma histological types. These findings stress the importance of incorporating 3D ECHO alongside other imaging techniques for a comprehensive evaluation.

The interaction between the implanter team and the imager team is critical to the success of transcatheter native mitral valve replacement (TMVR), a novel interventional procedure in the therapeutic arsenal for mitral regurgitation. This imaging scenario necessitates the addition of a new dedicated professional figure, dubbed "the interventional imager," with specific expertise in structural heart disease procedures. As its clinical application grows, knowledge of the various imaging modalities used in the TMVR procedure is required for the interventional imager and beneficial for the interventional implanter team. The purpose of this review is to describe the key steps of the procedural imaging pathway in TMVR using the Tendyne mitral valve system, with an emphasis on echocardiography. Pre-procedure cardiac multimodality imaging screening and planning for TMVR can determine patient eligibility based on anatomic features and measurements, provide measurements for appropriate valve sizing, plan/simulate the access site, catheter/sheath trajectory, and prosthesis positioning/orientation for correct deployment, and predict the risks of potential procedural complications and their likelihood of success. Step-by-step echocardiographic TMVR intraoperative guidance includes: apical access assessment; support for catheter/sheath localization, trajectory and positioning, valve positioning and clocking; post deployment: correct clocking; hemodynamic assessment; detection of perivalvular leakage; obstruction of the left ventricular outlet tract; complications. Knowledge of the multimodality imaging pathway is essential for interventional imagers and critical to the procedure's success.