title: Assessment of pulmonary valve and right ventricular outflow tract with real-time three-dimensional echocardiography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Assessment of pulmonary valve (PV) and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) using real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and RT3DE were performed in 50 patients with congenital heart disease (mean age 32 +/- 9.5 years, 60% female). Measurements were obtained at parasternal views: short axis (PSAX) at aortic valve level and long axis (PLAX) with superior tilting. RT3DE visualization was evaluated by 4-point score (1: not visualized, 2: inadequate, 3: sufficient, and 4: excellent). Diameters of PV annulus (PVAD), and RVOT (RVOTD) were measured by both 2DE and RT3DE, while areas (PVAA) and (RVOTA) by RT3DE only.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By RT3DE, PV was visualized sufficiently in 68% and RVOT excellently in 40%. PVAD and PVAA were measured in 88%. RVOTD and PVAD by 2DE at PLAX were significantly higher than PSAX (P < 0.0001) and lower than that by RT3DE (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RT3DE helps in RVOT and PV assessment adding more details supplemental to 2DE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Al-Husein University hospital, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ashraf M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Anwar
authors.forename: Osama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Soliman
authors.forename: Annemien E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: van den Bosch
authors.forename: Jackie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: McGhie
authors.forename: Marcel L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Geleijnse
authors.forename: Folkert J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: ten Cate
authors.forename: Folkert J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Meijboom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011664:Pulmonary Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right