3D transoesophageal echocardiography in the TAVI sizing arena: should we do it and how do we do it?

Abstract

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was initially proven as an alternative to valvereplacement therapy in those beyond established risk thresholds for conventional surgery.With time the technique has been methodically refined and offered to a progressivelylower risk cohort, and with this evolution has come that of the significant imagingrequirements of valve implantation. This review discusses the role of transoesophagealechocardiography (TOE) in the current TAVI arena, aligning it with that of cardiaccomputed tomography, and outlining how TOE can be used most effectively both prior toand during TAVI in order to optimise outcomes.

Keywords

• 3D transoesophageal echo
• aortic stenosis
• transcatheter aortic valve implantation