Recommended transoesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of mitral valve regurgitation

Valve replacement in patients with mitral valve regurgitation is indicated when symptoms occur or left ventricular function becomes impaired. Using different surgical techniques, mitral valve reconstruction has lead to earlier interventions with good clinical results. In order to determine the possibility of a mitral valve reconstruction, echocardiographic parameters are necessary. With transoesophageal echocardiography a segmental analysis of the entire mitral valve can be performed; mitral valve motion abnormalities and severity and direction of the regurgitation jet can be judged. From this analysis clues for underlying pathology can be derived as well as the eligibility of a successful mitral valve reconstruction. This article focuses on transoesophageal examination with segmental analysis in patients with mitral valve regurgitation.