[Can present-day noninvasive cardiological diagnosis replace heart catheterization in acquired heart valve diseases?].

The available noninvasive cardiac investigational methods allow an accurate diagnosis in patients with acquired valvular defects and, in most cases, a decision on timing of surgery. Retrospective studies showed that cardiac catheterizations in 45 of 111 consecutively investigated patients were superfluous. Thus, in 40% of these patients noninvasive methods were sufficient for a reliable decision on whether to proceed with surgery or conservative measures and for a satisfactory objective assessment of preoperative haemodynamics and morphology. Invasive methods should only be used when there are insufficient or discrepant noninvasive findings or when accompanying coronary heart disease must be excluded.