MitrAl Valve Calcium aSsEssmEnt With TrueVue Trans-illumination 3D Rendering.

The study of calcifications involving the mitral valve is extremely important for the planning of both surgical and percutaneous procedures. Computed tomography (CT) is the non-invasive imaging modality considered the gold standard for the assessment of mitral valve calcifications, thanks to its high spatial resolution and the strong X-ray attenuation of calcium deposits. Echocardiography has traditionally played a limited role in the evaluation of mitral valve calcifications, particularly with three-dimensional imaging. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic rendering with TrueVue transillumination (Philips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, NL) can provide additional information on the location and extent of calcium on the mitral valve by allowing the placement of a virtual light source beneath the mitral valve. Specifically, the TrueVue system is an advanced software module integrated into Philips echographic equipment that uses data acquired by the transesophageal probe to generate photorealistic images of the heart. Therefore, the ability to evaluate the position and extent of calcifications through transesophageal echocardiography may represent an important step forward for echocardiographic imaging.