September 2011

The introduction of devices for transcatheter aortic valve implantation, mitral repair, and closure of prosthetic paravalvular leaks has led to a greatly expanded armamentarium of catheter-based approaches to patients with regurgitant as well as stenotic valvular disease. Echocardiography plays an essential role in identifying patients suitable for these interventions and in providing intra-procedural monitoring. Moreover, echocardiography is the primary modality for post-procedure follow-up. The echocardiographic assessment of patients undergoing trans-catheter interventions places demands on echocardiographers that differ from those of the routine evaluation of patients with native or prosthetic valvular disease. Consequently, the European Association of Echocardiography in partnership with the American Society of Echocardiography has developed the recommendations for the use of echocardiography in new transcatheter interventions for valvular heart disease. It is intended that this document will serve as a reference for echocardiographers participating in any or all stages of new transcatheter treatments for patients with valvular heart disease