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In this era of multimodal imaging, what is the best way to assess for hemodynamically significant chronic aortic insufficiency (AI) echocardiographically, and how do findings on an echocardiogram (ECHO) compare with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? To answer these questions, investigators examined data from 81 patients (median age, 52 years; 26% women; 58% with bicuspid valve) with aortic insufficiency who underwent both ECHO and MRI within a 4-hour window. They found the following:
Using the American Society for Echocardiography (ASE) guidelines, 43% of patients had mild AI, 22% moderate, 15% moderate to severe, and 20% severe AI.
Using MRI as the reference standard, echocardiography discriminated severe AI with high accuracy.
ECHO parameter…