The American journal of cardiology
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Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are the standard techniques for the evaluation of prosthetic valve function. However, quantitative evaluation of leaflet(s) motion is not routinally carried out, although leaflet(s) opening and closing angle measurements are important information to recognize prosthetic dysfunction. For this purpose, cinefluoroscopy is considered the "gold standard" technique. ⋯ Both TTE and TEE were rarely able to identify closing angles. In conclusion, quantitative evaluation of mitral leaflet(s) motion may be accurately achieved with TTE and TEE, leading to increased diagnostic efficacy of prosthetic valve dysfunction. In the aortic position, TTE and TEE allow a quantitative evaluation of leaflet(s) dynamics only in a minority of patients and cinefluoroscopy still remains the first-choice technique.