Non-invasive imaging in percutaneous mitral valve procedures.

Novel percutaneous techniques for the treatment of mitral valve (MV) disease have recently been developed and provide an alternative to surgery in patients with high operative risk. However, the complexity of MV anatomy and the variety of mitral regurgitation mechanisms require sophisticated procedures and accurate patient selection. Non-invasive imaging (echocardiography, multislice computed tomography) provides crucial anatomical details and exact characterisation of the mechanism underlying mitral regurgitation, thereby facilitating selection of potential candidates for these procedures. Furthermore, imaging is needed for procedural guidance and assessment of long-term results; for these purposes echocardiographic techniques are mainly used. In this review, a detailed discussion on the use of non-invasive imaging in selection, procedural guiding and follow-up of patients undergoing percutaneous MV interventions is provided.