Three-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of the aortic valve and the aorta

Use of Three-Dimensional Echocardiography to Identify an Unusual Cause of Aortic Regurgitation

•New-onset AR after coronary angiography should raise suspicion for AV injury. •Consider 3D imaging if no clear etiology found with 2D imaging. •Three-dimensional imaging showed a partial tear of RCC. •Medical intervention was altered based in part on TEE findings.

Echocardiographic assessment of aortic regurgitation: a narrative review

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is the third most frequently encountered valve lesion and may be caused by abnormalities of the valve cusps or the aorta. Echocardiography is instrumental in the assessment of AR as it enables the delineation of valvular morphology, the mechanism of the lesion and the grading of severity. Severe AR has a major impact on the myocardium and carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Established and novel echocardiographic methods, such as global longitudinal strain and three-dimensional echocardiography, allow an estimation of this risk and provide invaluable information for patient management and prognosis. This narrative review summarises the epidemiology of AR, reviews current practices and recommendations with regards to the echocardiographic assessment of AR and outlines novel echocardiographic tools that may prove beneficial in patient assessment and management.