Dynamic Assessment of Stenotic Valvular Heart Disease by Stress Echocardiography

During the past 2 decades, the dynamic nature of valvular heart disease has become a recognized phenomenon. Changes in loading conditions, heart rate, and ventricular contractility that occur with exercise can alter the physiological effects of valvular disease.1,2 Disparity between resting evaluation of valve dysfunction and patient symptoms is not uncommon.

Stress echocardiography (SE) has emerged as a modality able to provide new diagnostic information by identifying dynamic changes in the severity of valve stenosis on exertion responsible for symptoms and evaluate the severity of valve disease in altered flow states.3 This review seeks to review critically the existing evidence base, identify new emerging prognostic markers, evaluate their role in clinical practice, and identify future directions for research.