Impact of Anesthesia, Positive Pressure Ventilation and Modality of Imaging on the Echocardiographic Assessment of the Severity of Aortic Regurgitation

Prospective Single-center Observational Trial Aimed at Investigating the Effect of General Anesthesia, Positive Pressure Ventilation and Change of Imaging Modality From Transthoracic Echo to Transesophageal Echo on the Grading of the Severity of Aortic Regurgitation.

The goal of this observational study is to assess the impact of imaging modality (trans-thoracic echo (TTE) vs trans-esophageal echo (TEE)), anesthesia and positive pressure ventilation on the grading of aortic insufficiency.

Patients scheduled for cardiac surgery and in whom a TEE is going to be performed intra-operatively will be enrolled. The grading of the aortic insufficiency will be compared between a TTE performed immediately before the induction of general anesthesia end the TEE performed after induction of general anesthesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Known aortic regurgitation of any grade
• Scheduled for a cardiac surgery procedure during which a trans-esophageal echo is planned.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non sinus rhythm
• Mitral regurgitation more than mild.
• Pre-operative critical state (according to the definition of the EuroSCORE II)
• Presence of a prosthetic aortic valve
• Contra-indication to trans-esophageal echo