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An increased use of bioprosthetic heart valves has stimulated an interest in possible transcatheter options for bioprosthetic valve failure given the high operative risk. The encouraging results of transcatheter aortic valve implantation in high-risk surgical candidates with native disease have led to the development of the transcatheter valve-in-valve (VIV) procedures for failed bioprostheses. VIV procedures are unique in many ways, and there is an increased need for multimodality imaging in a team-based approach. The echocardiographic approach to VIV procedures has not previously been described. In this review, we summarize key echocardiographic requirements for optimal patient selection, procedural guidance, and immediate post-procedural assessment for VIV procedures., (Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Recent multicenter trials have shown that transcatheter aortic valve replacement is an alternative to surgery in a high risk population of patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis. Echocardiography and multislice computed tomographic imaging are accepted tools in the pre-procedural imaging of the aortic valve complex and vascular access. Transesophageal echocardiography can be valuable for intraprocedural confirmation of the landing zone morphology and measurements, positioning of the valve and post-procedural evaluation of complications. The current paper provides recommendations for pre-procedural and intraprocedural imaging used in assessing patients for transcatheter aortic valve replacement with either balloon-expandable or self-expanding transcatheter heart valves., (Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Paravalvular regurgitation (PVR) is a frequent complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement that has been shown to be associated with increased mortality. The objective of this article is to review the most up-to-date information about the assessment and management of PVR and to propose a new more comprehensive and unifying scheme for grading PVR severity. A multimodality, multiparametric, integrative approach including Doppler echocardiography, cineangiography, hemodynamic assessment, and/or cardiac magnetic resonance is essential to accurately assess the severity of PVR and the underlying etiology. Corrective procedures such as balloon post-dilation, valve-in-valve, or leak closure may be considered, depending on the severity, location, and etiology of PVR., (Copyright © 2015 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: this study investigated the use of 3-dimensional (3D) echo in quantifying left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD), its interhospital agreement, and potential impact on patient selection., Background: assessment of LVMD has been proposed as an improvement on conventional criteria in selecting patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Three-dimensional echo offers a reproducible assessment of left ventricular (LV) structure, function, and LVMD and may be useful in selecting patients for this intervention., Methods: we studied 187 patients at 2 institutions. Three-dimensional data from baseline and longest follow-up were quantified for volume, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI). New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was assessed independently. Several outcomes from CRT were considered: 1) reduction in NYHA functional class; 2) 20% relative increase in LVEF; and 3) 15% reduction in LV end-systolic volume. Sixty-two cases were shared between institutions to analyze interhospital agreement., Results: there was excellent interhospital agreement for 3D-derived LV end-diastolic and end- systolic volumes, EF, and SDI (variability: 2.9%, 1%, 7.1%, and 7.6%, respectively). Reduction in NYHA functional class was found in 78.9% of patients. Relative improvement in LVEF of 20% was found in 68% of patients, but significant reduction in LV end-systolic volume was found in only 41.5%. The QRS duration was not predictive of any of the measures of outcome (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.52, 0.58, and 0.57 for NYHA functional class, LVEF, and LV end-systolic volume), whereas SDI was highly predictive of improvement in these parameters (AUC: 0.79, 0.86, and 0.66, respectively). For patients not fulfilling traditional selection criteria (atrial fibrillation, QRS duration <120 ms, or undergoing device upgrade), SDI had similar predictive value. A cutoff of 10.4% for SDI was found to have the highest accuracy for predicting improvement following CRT., Conclusions: the LVMD quantification by 3D echo is reproducible between centers. SDI was an excellent predictor of response to CRT in this selected patient cohort and may be valuable in identifying a target population for CRT irrespective of QRS morphology and duration., (2011 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

High-quality imaging of the atrial septum has never been so relevant to the adult cardiologist. This article focuses on the role of echocardiography in the evaluation of patent foramen ovale for closure. It provides a systematic and comprehensive approach to transesophageal echocardiographic study in such a patient. The salient information required for planning the device and equipment needed for the closure procedure are discussed., (Copyright 2010 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Heart failure is exceedingly prevalent in the United States and in other developed countries. Treatment regimens are complex and now include electrical therapy. Methods for evaluating left ventricular dyssynchrony using echocardiography rather than QRS duration have been developed, with tissue Doppler velocity parameters being the most popular. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography is another novel method for dyssynchrony evaluation that has potential advantages over existing techniques. The authors describe their experience with three-dimensional echocardiography dyssynchrony evaluation and offer insights into the direction that this technology must move to improve results.