[Echocardiographic evaluation of mechanical and biological heart valve prostheses]

The complex echocardiography is the method of choice for the non-invasive assessment of patients with prostheses of the cardiac valve. The particular advantages of the method lie in the non-invasiveness, the common ability of repetition, the complete risklessness, the lacking radiation exposure and, what is particularly of importance for the early postoperative phase, the bedside applicability also on the intensive care unit. With regard to potential complications (thrombo-embolism, prosthetic endocarditis) the echocardiography is superior to the invasive examination methods with suspicion to malfunction or leak. The most important prerequisite for an exact interpretation of the findings is the possibility of the comparison with the basis documentation. Moreover, the judgement of prostheses of the cardiac valve demands particular echocardiographic experience, as it in general can be acquired only in a centre. Disturbing echos by valve ring and valve body must be regarded as disadvantage. Disturbances of the cardiac rhythm may simulate defective functions particularly in replacement of the mitral valve with mechanical prostheses.