Alternative approaches to enhance risk stratification and evaluation of treatment in valvular heart disease

Transthoracic echocardiography is key for risk stratification in patients with valvular heart disease. This thesis shows the value of echocardiography to assess the optimal timing for AVR in patients with severe AS. Advanced echocardiographic measurements such as RV strain together with PFT could improve risk stratification of patients undergoing AVR. Comprehensive echocardiographic assessment using the staging concept, and integrating this with advanced echocardiography, appears fundamental for risk stratification of patients undergoing intervention of the mitral or aortic valve, but also for follow-up after the procedure.