Demonstration of left ventricular outflow tract eccentricity by 64-slice multi-detector CT.
BACKGROUND
Newer three-dimensional imaging technologies provide insight into cardiac shape and geometry from views previously unobtainable. Standard formulae like the continuity equation (CE) that rely on inherent assumptions about left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) shape may need to be revisited. In the CE, small changes in LVOT diameter may significantly change calculated aortic valve area (AVA). Using 64-slice Multi-detector CT (MDCT), we performed LVOT planimetry to obviate the need for any geometric assumptions.


METHODS
64-slice MDCT was performed in 30 consecutive patients. The diameter-derived LVOT area (ALVOTdiam) was calculated from a view analogous to the 2D echo parasternal long axis. Direct planimetry of the LVOT (ALVOTplan) was performed just beneath the aortic valve in a plane perpendicular to the LVOT long axis. Further, assuming an ellipsoid outflow tract shape, LVOT area (ALVOTellip) was calculated using piab from the long and short diameters of the planimetered LVOT view. Eccentricity index (EI) was estimated by subtracting the ratio of shortest and longest LVOT diameters from one.


RESULTS
ALVOTdiam always measured smaller than ALVOTplan (mean 3.7 +/- 1.2 cm2 vs. 4.1 +/- 1.3 cm2, respectively). The median EI was 0.18 (95% CI = 0.16-0.2; P = 0.0001). ALVOTellip more closely agreed with ALVOTplan (correlation = 0.96; P < 0.0001) than did ALVOTdiam (correlation = 0.87; P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Using MDCT, the LVOT was shown to be elliptical in most patients. Applying the CE which assumes roundness of the LVOT consistently underestimated the LVOT area which may affect estimated AVA. Planimetry of the LVOT utilizing three-dimensional imaging modalities such as 3-D echocardiography, MRI, or MDCT may render a more precise AVA.
Doddamani
Sanjay
S
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, North Shore University Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA. doddamas@nshs.edu
Grushko
Michael J
MJ
Makaryus
Amgad N
AN
Jain
Vineet R
VR
Bello
Ricardo
R
Friedman
Mark A
MA
Ostfeld
Robert J
RJ
Malhotra
Divya
D
Boxt
Lawrence M
LM
Haramati
Linda
L
Spevack
Daniel M
DM