Study population
We retrospectively analyzed the data obtained from 121 consecutive
patients, who visited our echocardiography department between October
2019 and August 2020 for TOE examination. 67 patients were males
(55.7%), while 54 were females (44.3%), aged 64±13 years. All patients
underwent TTE and TOE evaluation during the same visit and all data were
stored and analyzed by two cardiologists experienced on echocardiography
(KP and II). The only exclusion criterion for this study was previous
history of surgical or transcatheter MV repair or replacement. A written
informed consent form was obtained from all participants and the
protocol was approved by the local ethics committee.