Echocardiography: guidance during valve implantation

Abstract

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) by percutaneous or transapical approach has emerged as an effective and less-invasive treatment for patients with severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis and high surgical risk. Echocardiography is a fundamental tool in patients' selection for TAVI, for guiding the intervention as well as evaluating the position, deployment and function of the prosthesis. This review describes the role of echocardiography during the intervention, in procedure guidance and in the assessment of complications.