Bench to Bedside: Dynamic Mitral Valve Assessment

Purpose: The authors analyze a commercially available software package capable of geometrically reconstructing the mitral valve (MV) dynamically throughout systole. Description: Three-dimensional echocardiography has revolutionized the understanding of MV geometry. Advanced quantification software can be used to assess geometric changes in the MV, which have been shown to have important implications for MV surgery. Evaluation: The authors performed geometric analysis on 24 patients, with both anatomically normal and abnormal MVs to assess the feasibility of this new software. The application of this new software is briefly reviewed. Conclusion: This new software, despite its limitations, allows an improved perspective on MV geometry with implications for MV repair and surgical decision making. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.