Fluoroscopy for evaluation of prosthetic valves

Fluoroscopy for evaluation of prosthetic valves

Fluoroscopy is an excellent tool for the evaluation of mechanical prosthetic valves. Mitral prosthetic valve is best visualized in the RAO cranial projection. Aortic prosthetic valve is better imaged in RAO caudal or LAO cranial projection. RAO means right anterior oblique and LAO means left anterior oblique. Positioning is in such a way to have X-rays parallel to the valve ring plane. Undue rocking movement of the valve ring, more than seven degrees for aortic and more than eleven degrees for mitral, may indicate partial dehiscence. Suture dehiscence could be catastrophic sometimes. Decreased movement of the discs would suggest valve obstruction.

Fluoroscopy for evaluation of prosthetic valves

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