Zuzana Hlubocká
Aortic valve stenosis is the most common valvular heart disease in developed countries. Echocardiography is the
key imaging method in patients with aortic stenosis. Echocardiography is used to assess aortic valve morphology,
stenosis severity and its repercussions on left ventricular function, ascending aorta and pulmonary circulation.
Basic parameters in assessment of stenosis severity are based on Doppler echocardiography and include mean
transvalvular gradient, peak aortic jet velocity and aortic valve area. Transthoracic echocardiography is the primary
imaging modality; 3D echocardiography, transesophageal and stress echocardiography can further improve the
accuracy of imaging. Echocardiographic assessment of stenosis and symptomatic status are the cornerstones for
clinical judgement, risk stratification and indication of patients for surgical valve replacement or transcatheter aortic
valve implantation.