Three-dimensional echocardiography in adult patients: comparison between transthoracic and transesophageal reconstructions.
BACKGROUND
Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography is a relatively new technique typically implemented with transesophageal imaging with multiplane transducers.


OBJECTIVE
The goals of this study were (1) to test the feasibility of 3D reconstruction with a new transthoracic multiplane transducer in adult subjects with excellent quality of 2-dimensional images and (2) to compare these reconstructions with those obtained in the same patients with the transesophageal approach.


METHODS
Transthoracic multiplane image acquisition was performed in 37 patients who were selected on the basis of the quality of their 2-dimensional images. In addition, transesophageal acquisition was also performed in 19 of 37 patients. Three-dimensional reconstruction of mitral and aortic valves was performed. Three-dimensional images were reviewed, and the visualization of various anatomic features was graded.


RESULTS
The reconstruction of 25 mitral valves and 16 aortic valves, normal and pathologic, was feasible and resulted in visualization of anatomic detail. Score indexes of all valvular characteristics studied were not significantly different when transthoracic and transesophageal reconstructions were compared.


CONCLUSIONS
Transthoracic 3D echocardiography with a multiplane transducer in adult patients with good acoustic windows is feasible. This technique will allow easy noninvasive serial assessment of valvular pathophysiologic characteristics.
Godoy
I E
IE
Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging Laboratories, Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, IL 60637, USA.
Bednarz
J
J
Sugeng
L
L
Mor-Avi
V
V
Spencer
K T
KT
Lang
R M
RM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008945:Mitral Valve Prolapse / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging