Valve surgery, a critical intervention for patients with valvular heart disease, demands precise preoperative evaluation and postoperative monitoring to ensure optimal outcomes. Imaging technologies have revolutionized our ability to predict and enhance these outcomes, providing detailed insights into valve morphology, function, and the overall cardiac environment. This talk will explore the pivotal role of advanced imaging modalities, such as echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and computed tomography (CT), in the management of valve surgery patients.

We will discuss how echocardiography remains the cornerstone of preoperative assessment, offering real-time evaluation of valve anatomy, function, and hemodynamics. The integration of 3D echocardiography and strain imaging further refines our ability to assess the severity of valvular disease and ventricular function.

The talk will delve into the growing importance of CMR, highlighting its superior capability in tissue characterization, quantification of regurgitant volumes, and assessment of myocardial fibrosis. These features provide crucial prognostic information that can influence surgical decision-making and predict long-term outcomes.

CT imaging will be presented as a key tool in pre-surgical planning, especially for transcatheter valve interventions. Its precision in anatomical delineation aids in the accurate sizing of prosthetic valves and the identification of potential complications.

We will also cover emerging imaging techniques and their potential to further enhance outcome prediction, including fusion imaging and artificial intelligence-driven analytics.

Through case studies and recent research findings, this talk aims to provide a comprehensive overview of how imaging can guide clinicians in selecting the right patients for surgery, planning the procedure meticulously, and monitoring postoperative recovery to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients undergoing valve surgery.