Role of echocardiography in the diagnosis of aortic valve disease

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Cao Thanh Tam - Cardiologist - Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Echocardiography is one of the non-invasive, painless diagnostic methods. In particular, echocardiography is applied to diagnose heart disease or abnormalities, including aortic valve disease.

An echocardiogram is a method of examining heart function and heart structure, using ultrasound waves to create images of the heart. This is an easy, non-invasive, and painless technique. This method helps to monitor the structure, size, heart rate and function of the heart through recorded images. From there, the doctor can analyze and evaluate the current condition of the heart.
Echocardiography techniques can be conducted in 3 ways:
Stress ultrasound: The patient will be given drugs to make the heart beat faster and stronger before conducting an echocardiogram. Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography: Indicated to investigate the blood flow velocity at locations in the heart chambers and examine the heart structure. Transesophageal ultrasound: A transducer with a thin fiber optic cable connected to an ultrasound machine is passed through the patient's esophagus to examine the heart.

The aortic valve consists of 3 leaflets that open and close rhythmically according to the contraction of the heart, helping blood flow in one direction from the left ventricle to the aorta. Aortic valve disease includes:
Aortic regurgitation: A condition in which the heart valve does not close properly, causing part of the blood after being pumped into the aorta to flow back into the left ventricle. Aortic valve stenosis: This is a condition in which the blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta is blocked. Aortic stenosis excludes supravalvular and subvalvular stenosis. Aortic valve disease often has a latent course in the early stages of the disease. As the disease progresses, it can cause symptoms of angina, shortness of breath, dizziness and especially exertion. However, many patients with aortic stenosis for many years have no clinical manifestations. Therefore, ultrasound diagnosis of aortic valve disease is very important for early detection and prevention of possible complications.

Echocardiography is a modern, non-invasive and easily performed diagnostic technique. In diagnosing aortic valve disease, the doctor should base on clinical symptoms by physical examination and confirm the diagnosis by echocardiographic results.
Cardiac doppler echocardiography is the test of choice to detect and quantify regurgitation magnitude and overall severity of aortic regurgitation. Two-dimensional ultrasound can examine the size of the aortic root as well as the anatomy and physiological function of the left ventricle.
In addition, echocardiography can also evaluate the severity of pulmonary hypertension secondary to heart failure, pericardial effusion, or detect endocarditis due to infective endocarditis or aortic dissection. and provide prognostic information. Coarctation of the aorta can be detected by placing an ultrasound probe in the suprasternal depression. Transesophageal echocardiography provides additional description of aortic dilatation and valve anatomy, which is useful during surgery.
In summary, echocardiography is a modern diagnostic technique that is easy to perform and painless to the patient, using sound waves to create images of the heart. This is a method of diagnosing aortic valve diseases such as stenosis, aortic regurgitation,...
Cardiovascular Center at Vinmec International Hospital is equipped with a modern echocardiogram system along with The equipment is on par with the most prestigious hospitals in the world to support doctors in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases for patients. Along with that is a team of experts including experienced professors and doctors who have successfully performed many surgeries for patients with heart disease.
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