1. [Can present-day noninvasive cardiological diagnosis replace heart catheterization in acquired heart valve diseases?].
- Author
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Holper H, Böttcher D, Baew-Christow T, Adam W, and Pfannenstiel P
- Subjects
- Adult, Aortic Valve Insufficiency diagnosis, Aortic Valve Insufficiency surgery, Aortic Valve Stenosis diagnosis, Aortic Valve Stenosis surgery, Female, Heart Valve Diseases diagnostic imaging, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Mitral Valve Insufficiency diagnosis, Mitral Valve Insufficiency surgery, Mitral Valve Stenosis diagnosis, Mitral Valve Stenosis surgery, Radionuclide Imaging, Angiography, Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Angiography, Echocardiography, Heart Valve Diseases diagnosis
- Abstract
The available noninvasive cardiac investigational methods allow an accurate diagnosis in patients with acquired valvular defects and, in most cases, a decision on timing of surgery. Retrospective studies showed that cardiac catheterizations in 45 of 111 consecutively investigated patients were superfluous. Thus, in 40% of these patients noninvasive methods were sufficient for a reliable decision on whether to proceed with surgery or conservative measures and for a satisfactory objective assessment of preoperative haemodynamics and morphology. Invasive methods should only be used when there are insufficient or discrepant noninvasive findings or when accompanying coronary heart disease must be excluded.
- Published
- 1986
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