The Role of Imaging in Aortic Valve Disease

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Aortic valve disease is the most common form of heart valve disease in developed countries. Imaging remains central to the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with both aortic stenosis and regurgitation and has traditionally been performed with echocardiography. Indeed, echocardiography remains the cornerstone of aortic valve imaging as it is cheap, widely available and provides critical information concerning valve hemodynamics and ventricular function.

Recent Findings

Whilst diagnostic in the vast majority of patients, echocardiography has certain limitations including operator variability, potential for measurement errors and internal inconsistencies in severity grading. In particular, low-gradient severe aortic stenosis is common and challenging to diagnose. Aortic valve imaging may therefore be improved with alternative and complimentary multimodality approaches.

Summary

This review investigates established and novel techniques for imaging both the aortic valve and the myocardial remodelling response including echocardiography, computed tomography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography. Moreover, we examine how the complementary information provided by each modality may be used in both future clinical practice and the research arena.

Introduction

Aortic valve disease is the most common valvular heart disease in the developed world [1]. In particular, calcific aortic stenosis is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality [2]. Aortic stenosis (AS) was once thought to be related to simple “wear and tear” as a result of advancing age but is increasingly understood to be a highly regulated process with some similarities to atherosclerosis. An initiating event is believed to cause endothelial damage, inflammatory cell infiltration and initiation of calcification. A progressive cycle of calcium deposition in the valve leaflets then occurs leading to an inexorable march towards severe aortic stenosis and the development of symptoms and heart failure unless aortic valve replacement (AVR) is performed [3]. Aortic regurgitation (AR) is common in calcific aortic valve disease but may also be caused by other pathology affecting the valve, such as endocarditis, or the aortic root, causing functional regurgitation as in hypertension, Marfan syndrome, annulo-aortic ectasia, collagen vascular disease and aortic dissection.

In both aortic stenosis and regurgitation, imaging of the aortic valve is critical in establishing a diagnosis, grading severity and informing the timing of valvular intervention. In addition, the importance of the myocardial remodelling response to these forms of valve disease is increasingly appreciated [4]. Aortic stenosis leads to a pressure-overloaded left ventricle, resulting in the left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which normalises wall stress according to Laplace’s law. This is initially adaptive, but decompensation eventually occurs leading to the development of heart failure, symptoms and adverse events. Current clinical guidelines suggest valvular intervention in severe aortic stenosis when there is evidence of LV decompensation as indicated by the development of either symptoms or impaired LV ejection fraction (EF) [5, 6]. However, assessment of symptoms in elderly patients who often have multiple comorbidities can be challenging whilst impairment of LV systolic function occurs late in the disease process [7] and is often irreversible [8, 9]. There is therefore a need for more objective assessments of the left ventricular decompensation. Similarly, in aortic regurgitation, the left ventricle dilates in response to chronic volume overload in an eccentric hypertrophic response. With time, this decompensation of this remodelling response also occurs, leading to heart failure, symptoms and adverse events in the absence of treatment. Current guidelines advocate valve replacement in the presence of severe aortic regurgitation and symptoms or when LV dilatation reaches certain thresholds.

In this review, we will describe how modern advances in non-invasive imaging might optimise assessments of aortic valve stenosis and regurgitation as well as how the left ventricular remodels in response to those lesions. In particular, the established role of echocardiography will be explored alongside emerging modalities such as computed tomography (CT), cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and positron emission tomography (PET).

Aortic Stenosis

Echocardiography

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the clinical imaging modality of choice for assessing aortic stenosis and has been since in the 1980s when it supplanted invasive catheter-based measurements. It is safe, non-invasive and widely available, allowing direct visualisation of aortic valve anatomy (e.g. bicuspid vs. trileaflet), function and hemodynamics whilst also facilitating measurement of the left ventricular wall thickness, cavity dimensions and both systolic and diastolic function.

Doppler echocardiography provides information on aortic valve hemodynamics that is not readily available using other imaging modalities. Simple assessments of both peak and mean velocities through the aortic valve (Fig. 1) are used to calculate peak and mean pressure gradients using the modified Bernoulli formula as well as the aortic valve area (AVA) using the continuity equation. The latter is flow independent and therefore often essential for diagnostic accuracy particularly in low-flow states [10]. Current guidelines recommend grading haemodynamic severity of aortic stenosis on the basis of the combined information provided by the peak velocity (AV Vmax), the mean gradient and the aortic valve area [5, 6].

Fig. 1.

Echocardiographic assessment of a patient with severe aortic stenosis. a Short axis view showing heavily calcified leaflets. b Parasternal long axis view showing large calcium deposit on right coronary cusp with restricted valve opening. c Right sternal edge continuous-wave Doppler with aortic valve velocity >4 m/s, corresponding with severe stenosis

Whilst this combined approach is effective in the majority of patients, it leads to a wide spectrum of diagnostic categories and the potential for clinical confusion. Other potential limitations of echocardiography are also being increasingly appreciated. Firstly, acquisition of diagnostic acoustic windows can be impossible in certain patients as can perfect alignment of the Doppler probe with the direction of maximal blood flow through the valve. In both circumstances, measurement errors will be introduced. Secondly, echocardiography may have difficulty in measuring the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter with accuracy: a key component when using the continuity equation to calculate the aortic valve area. Indeed, echo often underestimates the LVOT diameter due to either calcification or its elliptical shape, and as the measurement is squared, even small errors become magnified substantially. The continuity equation also relies on several geometric assumptions that frequently do not hold true in aortic stenosis (such as a circular outflow tract and laminar flow profile), introducing further error. Finally, internal inconsistencies exist in the severity thresholds established in the clinical guidelines. An AVA of 1.0 cm² is sensitive but less specific for severe aortic stenosis and in fact corresponds to a mean pressure gradient of 30–35 mmHg [11], rather than the 40 mmHg cut-off recommended [5, 6]. This in part may explain why between 20 and 30 % of patients with moderate or severe aortic stenosis have discrepant assessments of disease severity depending on the echocardiographic marker assessed [4, 12].

LV Function and Mass

Echocardiography-derived LV ejection fraction is used in clinical guidelines to reflect LV systolic function. Impairment in the EF below 50 % is an indication for valve intervention as these patients have a poor outcome without surgery [8, 13]. However, a fall in ejection fraction is an insensitive measure of LV systolic dysfunction in the presence of concentric remodelling and hypertrophy. Indeed, approximately one third of patients with aortic stenosis and a normal EF have significant evidence of LV systolic impairment when assessed by other methods [14]. These alternative markers include global longitudinal strain measurements, which have been shown to be of prognostic importance in patients with severe aortic stenosis and a normal ejection fraction [15].

Patients with aortic stenosis invariably develop the left ventricular hypertrophy as the LV remodels to normalise wall stress. The degree to which this occurs is not well correlated to the haemodynamic severity of stenosis and is an independent predictor of outcomes [16, 17•]. The LV hypertrophic response should therefore be assessed separately. Concentric remodelling geometry [18] and severe LVH [19] have been associated with mortality following valve replacement whilst increased LV mass is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with asymptomatic severe AS [17•]. Importantly, recent evidence from 1656 patients in the SEAS trial showed that LV mass index was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality [20••].

Low-Flow Low-Gradient Subtypes

The most challenging patients are those with discordant parameters of severity, most commonly characterised by a low AVA and low transvalvular gradient. As discussed, there are several possible explanations for this including measurement error and internal inconsistencies in guideline thresholds. However, in many patients, the discrepancy will not be due to error but instead reflect a low-flow status related to an array of different factors. Low flow is usually defined by a stroke volume (SV) index of <35 ml/m² although this cut-off is somewhat arbitrary.

Classical Low-Flow Low-Gradient AS

In patients with severe aortic stenosis and LV systolic dysfunction, the stroke volume is low due to reduced myocardial contractility. As a consequence, the gradient generated over the aortic valve is relatively low (mean gradient <40 mmHg) but the valve area is small <1.0 cm² (low-flow low gradient with reduced EF severe AS). It is important to differentiate this condition from “pseudo-severe AS,” where the ventricle is severely impaired due to an alternative pathology to the extent that it cannot generate sufficient flow to completely open the aortic valve. Low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE), as recommended in clinical guidelines [5, 6], can differentiate between these; if the mean valve gradient increases to >40 mmHg (or AV Vmax >4 m/s) and valve area remains <1.0 cm² with dobutamine stress, then severe AS has been identified. These patients have a relatively low operative mortality (5–7 % [21, 22]) and benefit from AVR [23].

Flow Reserve

Those patients who fail to increase their gradient with stress echocardiography likely have no or reduced “flow reserve” which is defined as an increase in stroke volume of less than 20 % [24]. This group of patients has significantly higher operative mortality (22–30 % [13, 21]), but those who survive AVR have outcomes (improvement in EF and mortality) similar to those with flow reserve [13, 25] and an improved prognosis compared to similar patients managed medically [13]. There may be an increased future role for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in this group given their high operative risk.

Paradoxical Low-Flow Low-Gradient AS

These patients have low flow in the context of preserved ejection fraction, again leading to a picture of a reduced AVA (<1.0 cm²) and low mean gradient (<40 mmHg). It is often referred to as low-flow low-gradient normal EF or paradoxical low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis and was first identified in 2007 [26]. Commonly, these patients are female and elderly, with a small hypertrophied LV cavity as the cause of their low stroke volume. A recent meta-analysis of 7459 patients and other studies have indicated that mortality is increased in this group [26, 27••, 28, 29] and reduced by valve intervention [28–31]. However, this has not been observed consistently in all trials [32]. Stress echocardiography has not been shown to be helpful in these patients as they often exhibit restrictive physiology due to diastolic dysfunction limiting any increase in SV; however, aortic valve CT calcium scoring may aid in discrimination [12]. Current clinical guidelines recommend aortic valve intervention in this group if the patient is symptomatic and the clinician feels that valve obstruction is the most likely cause of symptoms based on the above parameters [5, 6].

Normal-Flow Low-Gradient AS

Patients with both a low AVA and low mean gradient in the context of preserved EF and normal flow are a common [27••] but under recognised group who are not represented in clinical guidelines. Although this is heterogeneous group that encompasses measurement errors, small body size or inconsistencies in clinical guidelines [11], a significant proportion have severe AS [12] and AVR appears to improve survival [31]. A recent large meta-analysis has demonstrated that these patients have outcomes similar to high-gradient severe AS which are improved by AVR [27••]. Further research in this area is required.

Dimensionless Index

The dimensionless velocity index is a flow-independent variable calculated by dividing the LVOT velocity-time integral (VTI, or Vmax) by the AV VTI (or Vmax) without a need to measure the LVOT diameter. A ratio of <0.25 indicates severe stenosis and is particularly useful where LVOT measurement is difficult to perform or in cases of inconsistent grading [33].

Advanced Echocardiography

In addition to demonstrating flow reserve in low-flow low-gradient severe AS with a reduced ejection fraction, stress echocardiography has also been shown to improve prognostication in asymptomatic high-gradient severe AS where an increase in mean gradient of >20 mmHg on exercise stress predicts a greater risk of developing symptoms and adverse events [34, 35].

Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) can be of use in aortic stenosis with planimetry of the AVA used as an alternative measure of aortic stenosis severity. Whilst planimetry remains difficult on 2D imaging due to extensive calcification and difficulty ensuring position at the leaflet tips, it appears more readily feasible on 3D TOE. A study of 307 patients with severe aortic stenosis compared valve planimetry using 3D TOE with TTE-derived aortic valve area. They showed that valve planimetry was possible in 92 % of patients (in the 8 % where it was not possible, this was due to severe calcification) and that the two measurements showed a good correlation (r = 0.85). However, planimetred AVA measurements were consistently higher than those calculated with the continuity equation [36]. Adjudicating disease severity using planimetry can therefore be difficult although in that context, an AVA <1.0 cm² is a strong indication of severe aortic stenosis and a potentially useful arbitrator in cases of diagnostic uncertainty.

TOE also offers accurate assessment of the aortic root and annulus dimensions and is frequently performed preoperatively before aortic valve surgery. Similar measurements can be made with CT imaging and the modality used differs between centres. The use of intraoperative TOE is routine in many cardiothoracic centres where it allows accurate assessment of anatomy and optimisation of hemodynamics before establishing cardiopulmonary bypass. Post-procedure, TOE can confirm satisfactory valve function, stable hemodynamics and exclude complications such as outflow tract obstruction. A number of observational studies suggest that intraoperative TOE changes management in 11–18 % of patients may improve outcome [37, 38] and may be cost-effective [39]. Intraoperative TOE has a class lla recommendation from the most recent CC/AHA/ASE 2003 Guideline Update for the Clinical Application of Echocardiography.

Pre-procedural imaging (TOE or CT) is essential prior to TAVI to ensure correct prosthesis sizing, and real-time intra-procedural TOE is often used to aid in device sizing and positioning [40, 41], although this is limited to trans-apical and aortic approaches where the patient is under general anaesthetic. Studies are conflicting but suggest that there is overall a slight overestimation of annulus area with CT and underestimation with TOE [42, 43]. 3D TOE is superior to 2D TOE and offers similar results to CT in some studies [44].

Valvular Calcification

Although the mechanisms underlying valvular calcification remain incompletely determined [3], its importance to disease progression and adverse events was first identified in the seminal studies by Rosenhek and colleagues [45••, 46••]. One hundred and twenty-six patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis were followed up for 22 ± 18 months. Aortic valve calcification was measured on a four-point ordinal scale with moderate or severe calcification (a score of 3 or 4) being the only independent predictor of AVR or mortality, outperforming haemodynamic measures of severity. Significant valve calcification is also associated with faster disease progression, need for AVR and all-cause mortality in patients with mild to moderate stenosis [46••]. Whilst severe aortic valve calcification is considered a lla indication for AVR in asymptomatic patients with severe AS, this technique is in practice difficult to apply because of poor intra-observer agreement as to the severity of calcification [47].

CT

CT Calcium Scoring

Calcium burden in the aortic valve can be more accurately quantified on electrographically gated non-contrast computed tomography (CT). The aortic valve CT calcium score can then be measured using the Agatston score (AU), which accounts for both the density and volume of CT measured calcium and correlates closely with the weight of calcium in explanted aortic valves [47]. Aortic valve CT calcium scoring has demonstrated excellent intra- and inter-observer and scan-rescan reproducibility [47, 48] and correlates closely with echocardiographic measures of haemodynamic severity [47–49]. Importantly, recent data has demonstrated that the aortic valve CT calcium score provides powerful prediction of disease progression and prognosis [50–52].

Severity Cut-Offs

Thresholds in CT calcium score for differentiating moderate from severe aortic stenosis have recently been proposed in a study of 451 patients with concordant grading of AS severity on echocardiography and preserved ejection fraction. Interestingly, these were different for males and females (≥2065 AU for men and ≥1274 AU for women) even after indexing to the aortic annulus area (≥476 AU/cm² for men and ≥292 AU/cm² for women). These thresholds were then applied to a larger cohort of 794 patients and demonstrated a strong predictive value for all-cause mortality of incremental value to echocardiographic parameters of ejection fraction and stenosis severity [53••] (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2.

Survival of patients with aortic stenosis under medical treatment according to valvular calcium score. Patients with severe absolute calcification (a) or calcification indexed to body surface area (b) had increased all-cause mortality compared to patients with non-severe calcification. Indeed, severe aortic valve calcification (AVC) was an independent predictor of survival following adjustment for age, sex, presence of coronary artery disease or diabetes, indexed aortic valve area and ejection fraction. Reproduced from Clavel et al. [53••] with permission from Elsevier/Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Aortic valve calcium scoring may be of particular use in cases of low-flow low gradient with reduced EF [49, 54], especially in the absence of flow reserve [47] where it can be challenging to determine severity by echocardiography alone. Further work is required to assess the validity of these thresholds in alternative patient populations and to confirm their predictive value. If these prove confirmatory, then we believe CT calcium scoring will emerge as a clinically useful and flow-independent adjuvant to standard echocardiography.

Improved AVA Calculation

The increasing use of CT angiography for valve sizing prior to TAVI procedures has demonstrated that the LVOT is often eccentric not circular. Indeed, a recent study of 269 patients with severe AS undergoing CT demonstrated that the LVOT is eccentric in 93 % of patients [55]. As a consequence, TTE measures of the LVOT diameter can frequently result in underestimation of the true AVA [56]. Using CT, CMR or indeed 3D echo to planimeter the LVOT area could therefore improve the accuracy of AVA calculations.

PET

PET is a novel imaging technique, which allows the activity of specific disease processes to be measured in vivo. Recently, this technique has employed two tracers to measure inflammation (¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG)) and calcification activity (¹⁸F-fluoride) in the valves of patients with aortic stenosis. Hybrid PET/CT scanners then allow the activity of these two key processes to be compared with the presence of established regions of macrocalcification on CT.

¹⁸F-Fluoride

¹⁸F-fluoride has been used as a bone tracer for 50 years binding to hydroxyapatite crystal and detecting regions of increased bone activity. In the vasculature, it binds preferentially to regions of newly developing microcalcification because the surface area of hydroxyapatite in these nanocrystalline regions is at its highest. By contrast in regions of macrocalcification, much of the hydroxyapatite is internalised and not available for binding [57]. In aortic stenosis, ¹⁸F-fluoride acts as a marker of calcification activity correlating with histological staining for alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.65) and osteocalcin (r = 0.68) [52] and predicts where novel regions of macroscopic calcium are going to form (Fig. 3). Tracer uptake increases with more advanced aortic stenosis [58], offers powerful prediction of disease progression at 1 and 2 years, of small incremental value to computed tomography [52, 59], and acts as an independent predictor of adverse clinical events [59]. This technique holds promise in better understanding the role of calcification in aortic stenosis, for example, a recent PET study demonstrated that whilst calcification activity in aortic stenosis is greater than inflammation, the reverse is true in atherosclerosis, potentially explaining the different effects of statins in these two conditions [60]. With further improvement, ¹⁸F-fluoride PET may prove of clinical use in identifying patients likely to progress rapidly towards surgery and as a marker of disease activity and efficacy end point in clinical trials of novel therapies (e.g. SALTIRE 2: NCT02132026).

Fig. 3.

18F-fluoride PET activity predicts the development of new calcific deposits in the aortic valve on repeat CT imaging performed after 1 year. Example imaging from two patients (a and b) are shown below. Baseline non-contrast CT images (left) showed evidence of increased 18F-Fluoride PET activity (middle) in areas where subsequent calcification was observed on repeat CT scanning after 1 year (right). Reproduced from Pawade et al. [3] with permission from Elsevier/Journal of the American College of Cardiology

¹⁸F-FDG

¹⁸F-FDG PET is widely used to image vascular inflammation. This PET tracer is a glucose analogue, which accumulates in metabolically active cells such as vascular macrophages. Indeed, an excellent correlation between macrophage burden on histology (CD68 staining on immunohistochemistry) in carotid atheroma [61] and the ¹⁸F-FDG signal has been observed. In aortic stenosis, ¹⁸F-FDG activity is higher in patients versus controls, demonstrating a modest correlation with severity of valvular disease [58]. Of interest, no correlation with CD68 staining of explanted valves was observed suggesting that ¹⁸F-FDG uptake is occurring in other metabolically active cells, although this study was limited by a low sample size [52]. Perhaps, the biggest limitation of this technique is the effect of physiological myocardial ¹⁸F-FDG uptake, which frequently contaminates signal originating from the aortic valve.

CMR

Cardiac magnetic resonance is an emerging technology that offers excellent spatial resolution, functional assessment and the unique ability to provide myocardial tissue characterisation. However, it remains an expensive modality with limited availability for cardiac patients in most centres,

LV Mass and Hypertrophy

CMR provides the gold-standard assessment of LV volumes and mass and allows detailed investigation of both the degree of hypertrophy and the different patterns of the left ventricular adaption. Importantly, the myocardial hypertrophic response is only weakly correlated with the hemodynamic severity of aortic stenosis [16, 62, 63], with males generally display a greater increase in LV mass even after correction for body size [16]. Classically, wall thickening occurs in a concentric pattern, but recent studies have shown that asymmetrical patterns also exist in around a quarter of patients assessed by CMR [16]. The clinical importance of this observation remains unclear.

Myocardial Fibrosis

Myocardial fibrosis is a key mechanism driving the progression from the left ventricular hypertrophy to heart failure and death in aortic stenosis [64]. Historically, it has only been appreciated using invasive endomyocardial biopsy techniques, but this carries a small but significant risk of complications [65] and is susceptible to sampling error. CMR provides a non-invasive assessment of whole-heart fibrosis using two techniques: late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T1 mapping (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in a patient with severe aortic stenosis. Predominant asymmetrical hypertrophy of the anteroseptum is seen with associated patchy mid-wall late gadolinium enhancement (LGE, red arrows). These areas are also identified visually using native and post-contrast T1 maps (white arrows)

LGE

This technique was first described in 1999 [66] and involves the intravenous administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA). These agents alter myocardial T1 values and enter healthy myocardium from the blood pool down a concentration gradient within 1–3 min (wash-in phase). Renal excretion of GBCA from the blood pool then produces a reverse concentration gradient with myocardial GBCA concentrations declining over the ensuing 10–30 min (wash-out phase). The large molecular size of gadolinium stops GBCA from crossing cell membranes, so that they effectively label the extracellular space and accumulate in regions of replacement fibrosis due to delayed wash-out [67]. These focal areas can then be detected using T1-weighted sequences 15–20 min after contrast administration. In aortic stenosis, areas of replacement fibrosis appear as bright areas in the mid-wall of the left ventricle in contrast to surrounding healthy myocardium [68]. Areas of previous myocardial infarction, which are common in AS patients, are also detected by this technique but can be differentiated from mid-wall replacement fibrosis by their subendocardial/transmural pattern and their coronary distribution.

Mid-wall replacement fibrosis as detected by LGE is common in aortic stenosis (29–62 % of patients depending on the population studied [69, 70•, 71•]) and seems to be irreversible following valve intervention [72]. The presence of LGE correlates with histological fibrosis [73•] and evidence of myocardial injury (as measured by high sensitivity troponin I concentrations) [74]. Advanced mid-wall fibrosis identifies patients that do not gain improvement in LV systolic function [73•] or overall functional status following AVR [72]. Importantly, three studies have confirmed that the presence of LGE acts as an independent predictor of all-cause mortality [70•, 71•, 73•], increasing the risk of death up to eightfold [70•]. Mid-wall fibrosis therefore appears to be a direct marker of the left ventricular decompensation in aortic stenosis and may be of use in identifying patients whose ventricle are starting to fail and who might benefit from prompt AVR. Further research on this area is needed; indeed, EVoLVeD-AS a multicentre randomised-controlled trial assessing the benefit of early surgery in patients with advanced aortic stenosis and mid-wall fibrosis on CMR is due to the start enrolling patients next year.

Diffuse Fibrosis

The non-invasive assessment of diffuse fibrosis is more challenging. Its homogeneous nature means that it is missed on LGE techniques, which rely on regions of normal myocardium to generate contrast. However, the detection of diffuse fibrosis is important because it is widely believed to be reversible [75] and the precursor to irreversible forms of replacement fibrosis.

Myocardial T1 mapping techniques enable the calculation of a specific T1 relaxation time (native T1) for each CMR voxel which can then be displayed on a 2D map with colour overlays applied for easier visual analysis. Multiple different techniques have been developed (Table 1). Full examination of these techniques is beyond the scope of this article, but further information can be found in this recent review by Moon et al. [76]. In brief, native T1 measurements can be made without the need for contrast, an important potential advantage especially in subjects with severe renal dysfunction who are at risk of contrast-induced nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) [77]. GBCA can also be used to generate post-contrast T1 maps as gadolinium shortens T1 relaxation times. In principle, these images provide greater signal but they are influenced by individual variation in gadolinium kinetics and have suffered from poor reproducibility when studied in AS populations [78•]. Importantly, these variations in kinetics can be corrected using several approaches. The partition coefficient (λ) is calculated as a ratio of myocardial to blood post-contrast T1 values, which improves reproducibility and corrects for many confounders. At gadolinium contrast equilibrium, the contrast concentration in the blood and myocardium should be equal. Calculating the blood volume of distribution (1—haematocrit) enables the myocardial volume of distribution to be deduced, also termed the extracellular volume fraction (ECV). Because ECV predominantly comprises collagen and is increased in fibrotic states, it acts as a marker of myocardial fibrosis, correlating closely with the collagen volume fraction on histology [79–82].

Table 1.

T1 mapping measures available for assessment of myocardial fibrosis

Measure	Unit	Calculation	Advantages	Limitations
Native T1	ms	T1 relaxation curve	No gadolinium requirement (can use in severe renal failure)	T1 signal represented a composite of myocardium and extracellular space
Post-contrast T1	ms	T1 relaxation curve following gadolinium administration	Improved sensitivity in identifying myocardial fibrosis	Significant variability due to individual variation in gadolinium kinetics and time to imaging post-contrast injection
Partition coefficient (λ)	Ratio	Ratio of T1 signal change (pre- and post-contrast) in myocardium and blood pool	Excellent scan-rescan reproducibility	Does not account for plasma volume of distribution of gadolinium contrast
Extracellular volume fraction (ECV)	%	ECV = λ × (1—haematocrit)	Excellent scan-rescan reproducibility. Conceptually attractive measure	Gives a measure of relative fibrosis which may not best track changes in aortic stenosis
Fibrosis volume	ml	ECV × end-diastolic volume	Quantitative measure of absolute fibrosis volume	Limited evidence at current time May require indexing to body size to enable comparison between individuals

Although native T1 and ECV have been extensively studied in the literature, results are mixed and interpretation is confounded by heterogenous studied populations, variations in T1 mapping sequence, CMR scanner, magnetic field strength and analytical technique (e.g. inclusion or exclusion of areas of LGE).

Native T1 values appear to correlate with histological myocardial fibrosis [83, 84] as well as global longitudinal strain [84], LV mass, haemodynamic assessments of severity and patient functional status [83]. However, its ability to differentiate healthy patients from controls is dependent on the population studied [78•, 83] with a significant degree of overlap in T1 values between these groups particularly subjects with less advanced stenosis. In a population of non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy patients, native T1 has recently been shown to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and heart failure events [85] although this has not been demonstrated in aortic stenosis patients.

ECV

The extracellular volume fraction is used as a surrogate for the extracellular space, which is expanded with collagen deposition in diffuse fibrosis. Our centre has demonstrated superior intra- and inter-observer and scan-rescan variability in aortic stenosis compared to the other T1 measures, and ECV correlates with LV diastolic dysfunction [78•] and functional status [86]. However, prognostic data is currently lacking. There is also significant overlap between ECV values obtained in healthy volunteers and AS patients, and normal ECV values have been observed in a hypertensive population (another condition characterised by LV pressure overload) [87].

Another disadvantage is that ECV measures fibrosis relative to the volume (or mass) of the left ventricle. Balanced increases in both LV mass and diffuse fibrosis with progressive aortic stenosis are therefore not detected using this approach. In fact, an important study by Krayenbeuhl et al. involving serial myocardial biopsies demonstrated that histological myocardial fibrosis as a percentage of the myocardium (which is estimated by ECV calculation on CMR) actually increased early following aortic valve surgery as a result of significant reduction in LV mass with no change in the amount of fibrosis. However, the overall fibrous content (which can be estimated on CMR by fibrosis volume; ECV × end-diastolic myocardial volume) did eventually decrease at a later stage (repeat biopsy an average of 70 months post AVR) [75]. This is partly supported by a recent CMR study which found that ECV did not change at 6 months following AVR, whereas there was significant regression of cellular hypertrophy [86]. There is however no CMR data regarding late regression of diffuse fibrosis measures. We believe the use of the fibrosis volume as a measure of absolute fibrosis may better reflect disease progression and be able to track changes across interval scans, although this requires investigation in prospective studies.

Clinical Risk Score

CMR is an expensive technique with limited availability in many centres. We have devised a clinical risk score [88] based on five readily measured variables: age, sex, peak aortic valve velocity, high sensitivity troponin I concentration and presence of LV strain pattern on ECG, which is highly predictive of the presence of mid-wall replacement fibrosis on CMR and mortality. Ultimately, this could be used clinically in place of CMR imaging or as a screening tool for LV decompensation in aortic stenosis.

Valve Assessment

CT imaging is able to detect macroscopic calcium deposits in the aortic valve but is unable to identify fibrosis or lipid deposition, which are key components in the stenotic valve. CMR offers superior tissue characterisation as demonstrated in a proof of concept study where 30 explanted aortic valves were scanned ex-vivo and compared with histological analysis. CMR showed excellent sensitivity and specificity for the identification of both mineralisation (calcification) and fibrosis, with lower accuracy for lipid-rich tissues [89]. Although this is an exciting field for further research, in vivo imaging with this approach is not currently feasible due to leaflet motion.

Aortic Regurgitation

Echocardiography

TTE remains the first-line imaging modality in the investigation of patients with aortic regurgitation, allowing assessment of mechanism, valve morphology and severity of regurgitation as well as measures of LV remodelling and function. Imaging of the aortic root and ascending aorta is essential, although in patients with poor acoustic windows, cross-sectional imaging may be required for accurate assessment.

The assessment of aortic regurgitation severity is more nuanced than aortic stenosis, requiring the integration of different visual, semi-quantitative and quantitative parameters as recommended by clinical guidelines [5, 6]. Visual assessment of the valve leaflets allows appreciation of prolapse or non-coaptation, whilst the length and width of the regurgitant jet on colour Doppler gives a qualitative impression of severity. Whilst useful, these measures correlate only modestly with the following more objective measures of AR severity which also require assessment [90].

Semiquantitative Parameters

Calculating the ratio of the regurgitant jet width to that of the LVOT gives a semiquantitative measure of AR severity (severe if >65 %) [91]. The vena contracta (the narrowest part of the regurgitant jet) can also be measured, and a width of >0.6 cm suggests severe AR. Both these techniques are limited by a single plane of assessment and the assumption of a circular regurgitant orifice. 3D TTE may therefore allow more accurate measurements [92].

Doppler-Based Measures

Although continuous wave AR Doppler jet density is a poor marker of severity, the rate of deceleration (pressure half-time, PHT) is a useful adjunct to other measures. A value of <200 ms is considered severe with measurements critically dependent on obtaining an aligned Doppler signal. PHT is best used in addition to other parameters as it is affected by LV compliance, blood pressure and usually reduced in acute AR of any severity. Doppler assessment of aortic flow direction is highly useful where imaging windows allow. Holodiastolic flow reversal in the descending aorta, especially when associated with an end-diastolic velocity of >20 cm/s, is specific but not sensitive for severe AR [93].

Quantitative Parameters

Calculation of effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA) or regurgitant volume (RV) is possible in some patients using the flow-convergence zone (PISA) method, which is less sensitive to loading conditions than other measures and also useful if the jet is eccentric. It is however less well studied than in mitral regurgitation, assumes a circular orifice (with a hemispheric flow convergence zone) and is impossible to measure in a substantial proportion of patients [90]. An alternative is the regurgitant fraction (RF), which can be calculated by the Doppler volumetric method. This involves comparing the systemic stroke volume (calculated by assessing the flow over either the mitral or pulmonary valves assuming no significant valvular regurgitation) with the total stroke volume (calculated from LVOT flow.) This is time-consuming and the potential for compounding multiple small measurement errors can lead to substantial overall inaccuracies. Again, the use of 3D TTE may be superior in calculating regurgitant fraction [94].

LV Dimensions and Function

The response of the LV to chronic volume overload is chamber dilatation and hypertrophy. Left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESd) is an independent predictor of the development of cardiac symptoms or LV dysfunction [95, 96] and the risk of progression or mortality approaches 20 % when LVESd >5.0 cm [97]. LV systolic impairment occurs late in the disease process and is associated with poor prognosis [98] which is improved following AVR [99]. Current clinical guidelines advise valve intervention for asymptomatic severe AR in the presence of significant LV dilatation (LVESd >5.0 cm) or LV systolic impairment [5, 6]. Other measures of LV function such as global strain and strain rate may detect earlier decompensation, and further research on outcomes is needed [100–103].

TOE

As with aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis, transoesophageal echocardiography is frequently used (with significant variation between centres) both pre- and intraoperatively to aid in prosthesis sizing, confirm satisfactory prosthesis functioning and detect immediate post-operative complications. In centres with appropriate expertise, TOE also allows detailed assessment of valve morphology permitting valve preserving repair procedures in selected patients, particularly those with aortic root aneurysms or regurgitant non-calcified bicuspid valves [104].

CMR

As discussed, CMR provides the gold-standard assessment of LV volumes and ejection fraction [105]. Perhaps unsurprisingly, therefore, left ventricular dilatation detected by CMR (end-diastolic volume (EDV) >246 ml) has shown strong predictive ability for the future development of symptoms and need for valve surgery in AR [106••]. However, CMR is also able to determine the aortic regurgitant volume to a high degree of accuracy using phase-contrast velocity mapping. This map, created in an orthogonal plane to that of aortic flow (usually at the level of the sinotubular junction [107]), encodes flow to each voxel and covers the whole cardiac cycle. It can therefore be used to calculate both anterograde and retrograde flow (and ultimately regurgitant volume and fraction, Fig. 5). It shows superior reproducibility to echocardiography [108] and excellent correlation with both TTE assessment [109] and invasive measures of stroke volume [110]. There is some debate as to the optimal cut-off in the regurgitant fraction to define severe regurgitation. A value of 50 % as used in TTE would seem logical, but there is evidence of superior discrimination at a lower value of 30 % [111] and a RF above 33 % strongly predicted the need for surgery within 3 years in a series of 113 patients [106••]. Although there are some technical reasons why a discrepancy may exist, further work is required to corroborate this single centre study and to demonstrate improvement in patient outcomes using this more expensive imaging modality. However, there may be a place for CMR assessment of aortic regurgitation in clinical practice when there is diagnostic uncertainty as to severity of regurgitation.

Fig. 5.

Phase-contrast velocity mapping for aortic regurgitation quantification. The slice location for through plane measurement is shown on a three chamber still image (top) with a jet of aortic regurgitation visible (white arrow). Through plane images are shown (middle) in systole depicting magnitude (left) and flow (middle) and diastole showing regurgitation in black (right). Regurgitant volume and fraction can then be calculated from a time-flow curve (bottom). LV left ventricle, Ao aorta, LA left atrium. Reproduced from Myerson et al. [106••] with permission from Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc./Circulation

Conclusions

Aortic valve imaging is a rapidly expanding and exciting field. Although transthoracic echocardiography has limitations, it remains the first-line imaging modality of choice. However, other techniques are emerging which provide complimentary information and may aid clinical decision-making. In particular, CT can quantify the calcium burden in aortic stenosis as an alternative measure of disease severity. CMR can quantify the aortic regurgitant volume and provide detailed assessment of the hypertrophic response whilst PET can directly measure disease activity in the valve. Further research is required to investigate the role that these approaches may play in the future, where incremental clinical benefit to standard echocardiographic approaches will need to be demonstrated.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Conflict of Interest

RJE, DEN, AJ, ZAF and MRD declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.