ASE Publishes New Guideline to Standardize Imaging for M-TEER Procedures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Natalie Costantino
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ASE Publishes New Guideline to Standardize Imaging for Mitral Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair Procedures

(DURHAM, NC, June 8, 2026)—The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) has published a new guideline designed to standardize intraprocedural imaging for patients undergoing mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER), a rapidly expanding minimally invasive treatment for mitral valve disease.

M-TEER procedures are increasingly performed by catheter operators and interventional echocardiographers with varying levels of imaging experience and expertise. “Guidelines for the Intraprocedural Imaging for M-TEER: Recommendations from the American Society of Echocardiography” provides comprehensive recommendations for clinicians, outlining best practices for image acquisition, communication, and procedural guidance to promote consistency and support better patient outcomes.

“Until now, there was not a unified, contemporary framework for intraprocedural imaging during M-TEER procedures,” said ASE Past President and Guideline Chair Dr. Stephen H. Little, an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Valve Clinic at the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Texas. “This guideline establishes a standardized approach to imaging and communication among interventional echocardiographers and interventional cardiology or surgical operators to reduce variability and enhance procedural success.”

Expert imaging is essential to the success of M-TEER procedures. Clinicians must possess a detailed understanding of mitral valve anatomy, the ability to manipulate two-dimensional and three-dimensional images in real time, and sufficient procedural experience to anticipate challenges and provide imaging solutions throughout an intervention. While procedural imaging can be performed with two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, the guideline writing group emphasizes the importance of three-dimensional multiplanar reconstruction (3D MPR) for M-TEER interventions to increase the precision of device implantation.

“3D MPR has become an essential tool for guiding M-TEER procedures with greater precision,” said ASE Board of Directors member and Guideline Co-Chair Dr. Nishath Quader, professor of medicine in the cardiovascular division at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “We hope this guideline encourages its consistent use among imaging specialists involved in these procedures to optimize patient outcomes.”

The complete guideline document and all guidelines published by ASE are available at ASEcho.org/Guidelines.

About American Society of Echocardiography
The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) is the Society for Cardiovascular Ultrasound Professionals™. ASE is the largest global organization for cardiovascular ultrasound imaging serving physicians, sonographers, nurses, veterinarians, and scientists and as such is the leader and advocate, setting practice standards and guidelines for the field. The Society is committed to advancing cardiovascular ultrasound to improve lives. For more information, visit the ASE website ASEcho.org or social media pages on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Bluesky.

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