A new, noninvasive method to monitor the aging of bioprosthetic valves in the mitral position.

Bioprosthetic valves undergo a tissue degeneration of unpredictable onset and amount. This process alters the structure and function of the valve and consequently shortens its lifespan. The echocardiographic technique usually used in the follow-up of these patients does not provide accurate information concerning the amount of prosthesis tissue degeneration.

Non-invasive estimation of the diastolic elastic and viscoelastic properties of the left ventricle.

The present study applies a non-invasive method to the quantitative evaluation of left ventricular stiffness in normal subjects and in patients with ischaemic heart disease (IHD). We have studied 20 patients with IHD and 25 healthy subjects. The third heart sound (S3) was detectable in all patients.