title: Surgical validation of real-time transthoracic 3D echocardiographic assessment of atrioventricular septal defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of AV valve morphology assessed by real-time transthoracic 3D echocardiography (RT-3DE) compared to surgical findings and to assess whether RT-3DE is applicable in clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2004 to May 2005, 19 patients with an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) undergoing surgical treatment at our institution were enrolled in the study. RT-3DE was performed with Philips Sonos 7500 echo-system and off-line analysis with TomTec Echoview software. The AVSD was assessed for the morphology of AV valve, with particular interest to the superior and inferior bridging leaflets. 3D data were compared with measurements and descriptions acquired during the surgical procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acquisition of RT-3DE datasets was feasible in all patients. Of the 19 patients, there were 11 infants (age <1 year). The duration of 3D data acquisition was 12+/-3 min for patients above 1 year and 4+/-2 for infants. Reconstruction time was 22+/-8 min. In all patients the AV valve orifice and RT-3DE observations of the superior and inferior bridging leaflets were all correctly identified by RT-3DE compared with the surgical findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Real-time transthoracic 3D echocardiography provides accurate assessment of AVSDs and correctly depicts the AV valve morphology. After a short learning curve, RT-3DE is easily applicable during daily clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC University Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. a.e.vandenbosch@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Annemien E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: van den Bosch
authors.forename: Derk-Jan
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Ten Harkel
authors.forename: Jackie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: McGhie
authors.forename: Jolien W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Roos-Hesselink
authors.forename: Maarten L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Simoons
authors.forename: Ad J J C
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bogers
authors.forename: Folkert J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Meijboom
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006345:Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography