Sector Scanning and M-Mode in Aortic Root and Valve Disease

Abstract

Two-dimensional real-time echocardiography has been available for a number of years and has shown clinical utility in the diagnosis of various lesions involving the aortic valve and root. A comparison of the diagnostic efficacy of real-time imaging to M-mode has not been accomplished, since precise, controlled comparison would require independant examination by individuals equally skilled with each modality and using a variety of equipment to eliminate experimental bias. Qualitative comparisons, on the other hand, are being made by all who use both techniques in echocardiography. Our purpose in this presentation is to relate our impressions using both M-mode and sector scanning over a 2 year period in evaluating the common conditions which affect the aortic root and valve.