Feasibility of Two-Dimensional Bileaflet Valve Imaging: A Prospective Transthoracic Echocardiographic Study
Yaron Shapira MD, Mordehay Vaturi MD, Michal Perlmuter RDCS, Alex Sagie MD

A total of 119 normally functioning left-sided valves (61 mitral, 58 aortic) was prospectively studied by two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) to explore the feasibility of bileaflet motion imaging, i.e. a distinct, symmetric movement of both leaflets in opposite directions. Bileaflet motion imaging was feasible for all mitral prostheses, but only 77.6% of patients with aortic prostheses (50% in two or more views). The best views for the mitral valves were four- and three-chamber; best views for aortic valves were parasternal short-axis and subcostal. The valve model did not affect the feasibility of imaging. Small mitral valves were positive in fewer views than were larger valves.