Comparative assessment of aortic valve stenosis using two-dimensional, three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, computed tomography and cardiac catheterization

Aim. To compare effectiveness of ultrasound, radiological and invasive methods for assessing aortic valve (AV) stenosis.Material and methods. This study included 33 patients with AV stenosis. The mean age of the patients was 71,8±6,8 years. All patients underwent standard and three-dimensional echocardiography, computed tomography, and cardiac catheterization.Results. According to two-dimensional echocardiography, the AV area averaged 0,58±0,21 mm2, according to cardiac catheterization — 0,61±0,17 mm2, according to three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography — 1,13±0,42 mm2, and according to multislice computed tomography 0,88±0,48 mm2. The difference between the values was significant (p<0,05).Conclusion. For routine diagnosis of AV stenosis, two-dimensional echocardiography is the optimal research method. With indications for radical treatment methods, three-dimensional echocardiography or multislice computed tomography should be performed.