Quantification of right ventricular volumes and function by real time three-dimensional echocardiographic longitudinal axial plane method: validation in the clinical setting.
BACKGROUND
Measurement of right ventricular (RV) volumes and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) by three-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) short-axis disc summation method has been validated in multiple studies. However, in some patients, short-axis images are of insufficient quality for accurate tracing of the RV endocardial border. This study examined the accuracy of long-axis analysis in multiple planes (longitudinal axial plane method) for assessment of RV volumes and RVEF.


METHODS
3DE images were analyzed in 40 subjects with a broad range of RV function. RV end-diastolic (RVEDV) and end-systolic volumes (RVESV) and RVEF were calculated by both short-axis disc summation method and longitudinal axial plane method.


RESULTS
Excellent correlation was obtained between the two methods for RVEDV, RVESV, and RVEF (r = 0.99, 0.99, 0.94, respectively; P < 0.0001 for all comparisons).


CONCLUSIONS
3DE longitudinal-axis analysis is a promising technique for the evaluation of RV function, and may provide an alternative method of assessment in patients with suboptimal short-axis images.
Endo
Yuka
Y
Cardiovascular Imaging and Hemodynamic Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
Maddukuri
Prasad V
PV
Vieira
Marcelo L C
ML
Pandian
Natesa G
NG
Patel
Ayan R
AR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D003199:Computer Systems; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D015588:Observer Variation; D012107:Research Design; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right