Recommendations for chamber quantification.
Quantification of cardiac chamber size, ventricular mass and function ranks among the most clinically important and most frequently requested tasks of echocardiography. Over the last decades, echocardiographic methods and techniques have improved and expanded dramatically, due to the introduction of higher frequency transducers, harmonic imaging, fully digital machines, left-sided contrast agents, and other technological advancements. Furthermore, echocardiography due to its portability and versatility is now used in emergency rooms, operating rooms, and intensive care units. Standardization of measurements in echocardiography has been inconsistent and less successful, compared to other imaging techniques and consequently, echocardiographic measurements are sometimes perceived as less reliable. Therefore, the American Society of Echocardiography, working together with the European Association of Echocardiography, a branch of the European Society of Cardiology, has critically reviewed the literature and updated the recommendations for quantifying cardiac chambers using echocardiography. This document reviews the technical aspects on how to perform quantitative chamber measurements of morphology and function, which is a component of every complete echocardiographic examination.
Lang
Roberto M
RM
Med. Klinik 2, Erlangen University, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Bierig
Michelle
M
Devereux
Richard B
RB
Flachskampf
Frank A
FA
Foster
Elyse
E
Pellikka
Patricia A
PA
Picard
Michael H
MH
Roman
Mary J
MJ
Seward
James
J
Shanewise
Jack
J
Solomon
Scott
S
Spencer
Kirk T
KT
St John Sutton
Martin
M
Stewart
William
W
D002306:Cardiac Volume; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003287:Contrast Media; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000592:standards*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013318:Stroke Volume; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D003287:Contrast Media