The Most Accurate Method for Measurement of Mitral Valve Area in Mitral Stenosis by Direct Planimetery Three Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography (3D TEE)

DEAR EDITOR,Three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a powerful tool for assessment of mitral valve area with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) or direct planimetery in patients with rheumatic mitral valve stenosis. Two dimensional transthorasic echocardiography (2D TTE) is a well-known conventional method in these patients which is used routinely. This method is less accurate than 3D TEE because mitral valve is saddle shaped and 2D images cannot image this valve correctly [1-7]. Exact method for 3D mitral valve area measurement is not determined yet and MPR was used as an accurate method. Direct planimetery by 3D TEE emerged as a novel method to evaluate mitral valve area with least variability [8].