EAE/ASE recommendations for the use of echocardiography in new transcatheter interventions for valvular heart disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Interventional Cardiology

Background:

• Transcatheter interventions for valvular heart disease (e.g., aortic valve implantation, mitral repair, paravalvular leak closure) are expanding.
• Echocardiography is vital for patient selection, intra-procedural guidance, and post-procedure monitoring in these cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide comprehensive recommendations for echocardiography use in new transcatheter interventions for valvular heart disease.
• To establish a reference document for echocardiographers involved in these procedures.

Main Methods:

• Development of guidelines by the European Association of Echocardiography and the American Society of Echocardiography.
• Focus on the unique demands of echocardiographic assessment for transcatheter interventions compared to routine evaluations.

Main Results:

• Publication of recommendations for echocardiography in transcatheter valvular interventions.
• Emphasis on the essential role of echocardiography throughout the patient journey.

Conclusions:

• Echocardiography is indispensable for the success of transcatheter valvular interventions.
• These recommendations aim to standardize and enhance echocardiographic practice in this evolving field.