Researchers also found TMVR to be an equal asset across all subgroups in the study, regardless of size, function or pressures of the heart’s chambers, asserting that patients with similar characteristics in the trial should be considered for such interventions.

While essential, Asch says the role of ultrasound is only one of many essential components that play a role in determining if a procedure is suitable for a specific patient, and should not be regarded as the only one.

“Ultrasound is used in the context of clinical care. Therefore, there are multiple things that need to be put together with the ultrasound,” he said. “The specific role of the ultrasound here is to understand what the valve looks like and how significant the valvular disease is. Those are the things that make ultrasound very unique and make its specific role in the evaluation of mitral regurgitation. So, it’s not only that we need the ultrasound to determine if a patient should have a procedure such as this, but it’s a critical component in this evaluation.”

The algorithm was adapted from the American Society of Echocardiography and ACC guidelines.

The study was funded by Abbott.

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