1. Ali Alshehri, MD DHC, Saudi Aramco Sept, 29th, 2011
TEE and Aortic valve
Ali Alshehri, MD
DHC, Saudi Aramco
Sept, 29th, 2011

2. Q #1 Gorlin formula has the following limitations except:
in AR, the area may be falsely elevated
CO in Afib must be averaged on few beats
peak – peak gradient is required
SEP must be calculated

3. Q #2 All are true about planimetry for AV except
ME SAX view is preferred
Correlates well with cath derived AVA
Depends on adequate CO
Significant calcifications decreases the accuracy

4. Q# 3 The following is true regarding pressure g across AV
Doppler derived MIG approximates catheter MIG
Peak to peak gradient is the highest gradient
Doppler MIG approximates cath PPG
All true

5. Movements of the probe
Turning: turning the shaft of the probe to the left or right.
Rotating: rotating the transducer forward (towards 180°) or backward (towards 0°).
Withdrawing and advancing: moving the probe further out of, or further into, the oesophagus.
Anteflexing and retroflexing: moving the tip of the probe forwards or backwards.

6. Bicuspid AV

7. Normal Aortic valve area 2.6-3.5 cm2.
Severe AS defined as:
Area <1.0cm2
Mean gradient >40 mmHg
Peak velocity >4.0 m/s

8. Subaortic membrane

10. Bicuspid AV

13. Ascending aortic aneurysm

14. TEE views to assess AV ME short axis view ME long axis view
ME 5 chamber view
ME short axis view
ME long axis view
TG long axis view
DTG LAX view

15. ME 5 chamber view:
Is part of the
starting 4 chamber
view with
small withdrawal of
the probe to show
the aortic leaflets.
Not used commonly
because of better
other views.

16. ME 5 chamber view

17. Quadricuspid AV

18. ME short axis view
Image setting: Angle 25-
45 degrees
Sector depth :10-12 cm
Probe adjustment: Neutral
Primary use: AS, valve
morphology
Required structures:
3 valve leaflets,
commissures, coaptation
point

19. ME short axis view

20. ME long axis view
Image setting: Angle 115-
130 degrees
Sector depth: 8-10 cm
Probe adjustment: neutral
Primary use: Aortic valve
pathology, ascending
aorta and root, LVOT
pathology
Required structures: LVOT
(>1cm prox to AV)
ascending Ao(>1cm distal to STJ)

21. Aortic dissection

22. ME long axis view

23. TG long axis view
Image setting: Angle
degrees
sector depth 12 cm
probe adjustment: neutral-
leftward
Primary use: Doppler assessment
of AV, LVEF
AV and VOT at 4 o’clock
Technique:
from TG 2 chamber , the probe is
rotated to 120 degrees
with Lt ward rotation of the probe

24. TG long axis view

25. DTG LAX view
Image setting: Angle 0
degrees
Sector depth : 16cm
Probe adjustment: Anteflexed
Primary use: AV morphology,
LVOT
Doppler assessment of AV
Technique:
probe advanced to LV apex,
anteflexed and slightly
withdrawn with rotation of the
probe to the Lt.

26. DTG LAX view

27. Fibroelastoma

28. Assessment of AS 2D assessment of valve morphology,
commissures, coaptation point.
Doppler interrogation( Bernoulli equation)
AVA ( continuity equation)
Planimetry
Dimensionless Index

29. Planimetry
All planimetric techniques are limited because of an inability to determine whether the actual minimal orifice is being imaged or whether the plain chosen for measurement is at an angle o the true minimal orifice.

30. Planimetry of AV

31. Planimetry
Technique: 1- all 3 leaflets should be in view 2- use colour doppler with minimal gain to adjust depth and angle 3- gain setting to minimum to show orifice 4- use tracing caliber of machine to trace orifice Aim: get the narrowest orifice reduce the blooming artifact

32. Planimetry
The accuracy of planimetry has been assessed by comparing it to the “ gold standard” reference used in cath lab, The Gorlin equation: AVA = CO/ 44.3(SEP)(HR) MG( square root) so AVA is dependent on CO and mean gradient

33. Planimetry
TEE is considered superior to TTE because of it’s higher resolution in measuring the AV orifice more accurately.
Stoddard, reported good correlation with TTE
and superior correlation with cath .(AHJ 1991)

34. Hoffman, showed excellent correlation of TEE with Gorlin formula determined area.(JACC, 1993) Planimetry is not affected by CO changes and is considered by some more accurate in high and low CO.

35. Hoffman et al, JACC 1993

36. This is mostly seen in heavily calcified valves

37. Doppler gradient Peak gradient = 4(Vmax)2( peak aortic velocity)
Mean gradient= 2.4 (Vmax)2
Excellent correlation with cath measured MG
Echo measures peak instantaneous gradient
Cath measures peak to peak gradient
Use modified Bernoulli equation in AI or high CO : peak gradient = 4(V max) 2-(LVOT V)2

39. Continuity equation AVA= TVI LVOT X AREALVOT/ TVI AV
LVOT measured endo-endo at mid systole at insertion point of the leaflets. Usually done in ME ling axis view.
LVOT area 3.14X r2= 3.14X(D/2)2
Measured with PW at measurement site
“Envelope in envelope” method also used

40. Continuity equation
Unless a clearly defined velocity envelope can be seen, no quantitative estimate of severity should be done.

41. Dimensionless Index DI= LVOT TVI/ AV TVI Severe AS< 0.25
Helpful when LVOT measurement is in doubt( disproportionately high or low area to the measured gradient)
For follow up of prosthetic aortic valve

43. Case presentation History: Mr K, 56y old male, chemical engineer.
Newly diagnosed diabetes
Seen in ophthalmology clinic for decreased Rt eye vision for 1 week and diagnosed with retinal He
Admitted 1 week later with fatigability X1month, fever and intermittent memory lapses noted by wife.
No recent dental work.

44. Exam:
BP 140/50. PR 90/min, temp 39.0C
No peripheral sings if IE
Grade II diastolic murmur at Rt upper chest

45. Labs:
WBC 20.0, Hb 11.8, plat 328,000
ESR 80, CRP 14, crea 1.2
ECG: normal
CXR: mild cardiomegaly, no congestion
B culture: Sterptococcus aginiosus

46. Further W/U
TTE
TEE
CT chest:
5.1 cm aortic root and ascending aorta.

47. TTE:
Ejection Fraction = 50-55%. Left ventricular systolic function is normal. There is mild mitral regurgitation. There is a moderate size vegetation or mass on the aortic valve. Aortic valve is thickened looks morphologically Bicuspid and prolapsing in diastole. Moderate to sever aortic regurgitation. There is an eccentric jet of aortic insufficiency directed against the anterior mitral leaflet. The right ventricular systolic function is normal. The left ventricle is severely dilated. Possible mitral vegetation also seen.

48. TEE:
TEE confirms endocarditis on congenital bicuspid aortic valve The aortic valve is bicuspid. There is a large vegetation or mass o the aortic valve. Moderate aortic regurgitation. Volume overloaded LV due to aortic regurgitation .Vegetation length is approximately 16 mm. There i also significant thickening of the large non coronary cusp which could be a vegetation. No abscess is seen. Possible mitral vegetations also.

49. CT chest:
5.1 cm aortic root and ascending aorta.

60. Back to our patient
Patient became a febrile. No heart failure. Memory lapses improved.
Referred to KFSH for surgery after completing 3 weeks of IV antibiotics.
At surgery, both AV and MV infected with perforation. No abscess seen.
29mm carbomedics valved conduit+ MVR done
Completed another 3 weeks of IV antibiotics.

61. Thank you