Peter Dědič
Echocardiography is currently the primary non-invasive imaging method for aortic valve stenosis assessment and quantification. Complete echocardiographic examination of the patient with aortic stenosis includes diagnostic imaging to define the etiology of stenosis, quantification of stenosis severity, the evaluation of coexisting valvular lesions, assessment of left ventricular function and secondary changes to chronic pressure overload of upstream cardiac chambers and pulmonary vasculature. The primary echocardiographic hemodynamic parameters recommended for quantification and classification of aortic stenosis severity are: aortic stenosis jet velocity or maximal pressure gradient, mean pressure gradient and valve area by continuity equation. Echocardiographic grading the severity of aortic stenosis always must be interpreted in the clinical context of the individual patient. The aim of this following article was to detail the recommended practical approach to the echocardiographic evaluation of aortic stenosis, grading of severity stenosis and also limitations of this method.