Three-dimensional echocardiographic measurement of left and right ventricular mass and volume: in vitro validation.
BACKGROUND
Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography has been shown to offer highly accurate measurements of left ventricular (LV) volume and mass. The present study evaluated the accuracy of 3D surface reconstruction by the piecewise smooth subdivision method in measuring volume and mass not only in the LV but also in the more complexly shaped right ventricle (RV).


METHODS
3D echo scans were obtained of in vitro LV's (n = 15) and RVs (n = 10). From digitized images, ventricular borders were traced and used in surface reconstructions. Mass and volume determined from the reconstructions were compared to true volume and mass determined prior to imaging. Additionally casts of two RVs were made and laser-scanned. Distances between the laser-identified points on the RV surface and the corresponding 3D echo reconstructions were measured.


RESULTS
3D LV volume agreed well with the true volume (y = 0.99x + 1.73, r = 0.99, SEE = 3.35 ml, p < 0.0001), as did 3D LV mass (y = 0.99x - 4.71, r = 0.99, SEE = 9.85 g, p < 0.0001). 3D RV volume overestimated true volume (y = 1.11x + 1.77, r = 0.99, SEE = 3.36 ml, p < 0.001) by 6.23+/-3.70 ml (p < 0.0001). 3D mass agreed well with RV mass (y = 0.78x + 17.32, r2 = 0.93, SEE = 3.54 g, p < 0.0001). 3D echo reconstructions matched the laser-scanned RV closely with residual distances of 1.1+/-0.9 and 1.4+/-1.2 mm, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
3D echo using freehand scanning combined with surface reconstruction by the piecewise smooth subdivision surface method enables accurate determination of LV mass and volume, of RV mass and volume, and of the RV's complex shape.
Cardiovascular Research and Training Center, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Michal
M
Hubka
Edward L
EL
Bolson
John A
JA
McDonald
Roy W
RW
Martin
Brad
B
Munt
Florence H
FH
Sheehan
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017380:Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013552:Swine