Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Assessment of the Severity of Aortic Stenosis

Abstract

Transthoracic and Doppler echocardiography provide useful information about the severity of aortic stenosis. According to recently published reports, the problems in assessing the degree of stenosis seem to be solved by the application of several formulas (continuity equation and modified Bernoulli equation) (Harrison et al. 1988; Oh et al. 1988). But in reality, there are always patients in whom echo and Doppler studies are impossible to perform or inconclusive due to emphysema, thoracic deformities, inability to obtain a good visualization of the valves, or an adaequate Doppler signal (Krafchek et al. 1985; Dennig et al. 1986). In addition, a complete Doppler study may require half an hour, which cannot be tolerated by patients in advanced stages of heart failure.