Chapter II/3: Radiologic aspects of the diseases of heart valves and their therapy

Apor Astrid

II./3.1.: Introduction : imaging diagnostics of heart valve diseases

Since the introduction of echocardiography (echo) in the 1950s, as well as computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) in the 1970s, the cardiologic imaging diagnostics went through an astonishing development in the second half of the 20th century and after the turn of millennium. The fundamental importance of MR imaging, the accomplishment of Paul Lauterbur and Sir Peter Mansfield was acknowledged by the donation of a Nobel prize in 2003. Statistic data show a growth of financial allocation for imaging diagnostics in the health care budget of the United States of America that is about 10% yearly since 2000, approximately threefold the average yearly increase of costs spent to therapeutic interventions. The spread and continuous development of these imaging techniques has brought a breakthrough in the recognition and fine diagnostics of heart valve diseases in the recent decades, and significantly influenced the therapeutic possibilities as well.

The chapter structure

• II./3.1.: Introduction : imaging diagnostics of heart valve diseases

• II./3.2.: Echocardiography in the diagnostics of heart defects

• II./3.2.1.: Techniques of cardiologic ultrasound

• II./3.2.2.: Ultrasound diagnostics of aortic stenosis

• II./3.2.3.: Ultrasound diagnostics of aortic regurgitation

• II./3.3.: Role of CT and MR in the diagnostics of aortic defects

References:

Feigenbaum's Echocardiography, 7th edition, 2009. Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins ISBN-13: 9780781795579 ; ISBN-10: 0781795575 

McGee KP, Julsrud P: Mayo Clinic Guide to Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Publisher: Informa Healthcare; Edition 1; ISBN: 9781420083033/1420083031

Garcia MJ: Advances in Cardiac Computed Tomography. An Issue of Cardiology Clinics, 1e (The Clinics: Internal Medicine); Edition 1; Publisher: Saunders; ISBN:9781437711981/1437711987