Novel imaging techniques and biomarkers may help identify patients with heart valve disease at higher risk of deterioration, improving the timing of surgical intervention.
Should not yet change surgical timing in valve disease; leaves open the value of imaging and biomarkers pending prospective trials.
Optimal timing of surgery for heart valve disease relies on the accurate assessment of symptoms, lesion severity, cardiac function and the risks of disease progression. Recent studies suggest potential roles for new echocardiographic techniques, including tissue Doppler and strain imaging at rest or after exercise stress, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide. These techniques may identify patients at higher risk of symptomatic deterioration or adverse clinical events, and improve the cost-effectiveness and reliability of follow-up.
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To et al. (2008) studied this question.
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