Do not request annual follow-up echocardiography in patients with known mild-to-moderate valvular disease in the absence of new symptoms or clinical events and in patients with known mild left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of new symptoms or clinical events.

Do not request annual follow-up echocardiography in patients with known mild-to-moderate valvular disease in the absence of new symptoms or clinical events and in patients with known mild left ventricular dysfunction in the absence of new symptoms or clinical events.

Type of practice

Cardiological tests

Age

Adult, Geriatric

Topic Area

Cardiology

Since mild-moderate valvular disease generally has a slow progression, echocardiography should be performed more frequently only in the presence of changes in clinical status. Transthoracic echocardiography is indicated to investigate the appearance of new symptoms, their possible worsening and to determine the prognosis in patients with first-time heart failure: routine repetition of the echocardiogram in patients with known mild left ventricular dysfunction is not indicated in the absence of any changes in clinical status.

Sources

1. Nardi F, Pino PG, Gabrielli D, et al. Documento di consenso ANMCO/SI CI-GISE/SIC/SIECVI/SIRM: Appropriateness dell’imaging multimodale nelle patologie cardiovascolari. G Ital Cardiol 2020;21:34- 88. doi: 10.1714/3285.32588.
2. Steeds RP, Garbi M, Cardim N, et al. EACVI appropriateness criteria for the use of transthoracic echocardiography in adults: a report of literature and current practice review. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2017;18:1191-204. doi: 10.1093/ehjci/jew333.
3. Otto CM, Nishimura RA, Bonow RO, et al. 2020 ACC/AHA Guideline for the management of patients with valvular heart disease: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/ American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation 2021;143:e35-71. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000932.
4. McDonagh TA, Metra M, Adamo M, et al. 2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure. Eur Heart J 2021;42:3599- 726. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab368.

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Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.