Transoesophageal echocardiographic assessment of the aortic valve

Abstract

Every complete transoesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) examination should include a careful assessment of the aortic valve. Aortic valve disease is very common in Western populations. About 25% of people over 65 years of age have aortic sclerosis and 3% over 75 years have severe stenosis⁷. TEE can define the severity and mechanisms of aortic stenosis (AS) and aortic regurgitation (AR). Although in general cardiology TEE is rarely needed for evaluating the aortic valve, it may be appropriate when transthoracic image quality is poor and to evaluate other structures more fully, including the mitral valve.¹.