Role of echocardiography in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with aortic stenosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Echocardiographic assessment plays a major role in the evaluation of aortic stenosis (AS). Because of its proven accuracy, ease of applicability, and safety, it is replacing cardiac catheterization for the assessment of AS in many centers.

RECENT FINDINGS: In this review, we discuss the basic principles of echocardiographic assessment of AS and clinically challenging scenarios including AS with low cardiac output state or other structural heart disease. Dobutamine stress echocardiography is a useful tool for assessing low cardiac output AS. The role of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of AS is also reviewed.

SUMMARY: Echocardiographic techniques provide critical information in the assessment of patients with known or suspected AS and guide decision-making regarding the appropriateness of valve replacement.