Assessment of pulmonary valve and right ventricular outflow tract with real-time three-dimensional echocardiography.
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.
Anwar
Ashraf M
AM
Department of Cardiology, Al-Husein University hospital, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Soliman
Osama
O
van den Bosch
Annemien E
AE
McGhie
Jackie S
JS
Geleijnse
Marcel L
ML
ten Cate
Folkert J
FJ
Meijboom
Folkert J
FJ
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