Multiplane transesophageal echocardiographic evaluation of mitral valve disease

With the additional ability to rotate the image around the axis of the centerline of the sector, multiplane transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) improves over single or biplane TEE in ease of use and diagnostic accuracy. This article reviews the anatomic, physiological, and topographic considerations that affect the use of multiplane TEE in evaluation of patients with mitral valve disease. The optimum mitral valve examination includes a true "short-axis" view, obtained by a transverse (zero-degree angle) transgastric image orientation with the probe tip flexed anteriorly, and several "long-axis" views, obtained from various rotations of the basilar multiplane TEE image planes. This provides a useful and accurate means to determine the mechanism of mitral regurgitation, which is useful in planning and timing, determining the likelihood, and predicting the surgical techniques that will be required for mitral valve repair. The postcardiopulmonary bypass (postpump) TEE examination in a patient with mitral regurgitation is a second important component of the process of repair, to determine the presence and severity of residual mitral regurgitation, and identify any complications of surgery. Of 1,550 mitral repair operations studied with postpump echocardiography at our hospital since 1987, a total of 105 (7%) have had second pump runs. Multiplane TEE is also useful to pinpoint the exact site of periprosthetic regurgitation around a mitral prosthesis, enabling direct surgical closure in some cases. Understanding special technical features of multiplane TEE is an important component for optimum utilization of this powerful diagnostic modality.