The value of live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of valvular vegetations.
We studied 13 patients with valvular vegetations who underwent intraoperative live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) and real time two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE). The 3DTEE provided incremental value on top of 2DTEE in its ability to accurately identify and localize vegetations and in identifying complications of infective endocarditis such as abscesses, perforations, and ruptured chordae. By using 3DTEE, we were able to measure vegetation volumes, perforation areas, and estimate the area of the valve that is involved in the infective process. These preliminary results suggest the superiority of 3DTEE over 2DTEE in the evaluation of valvular vegetations and provide incremental knowledge that is useful to the cardiac surgeons.
Hansalia
Sachin
S
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Biswas
Monodeep
M
Dutta
Rajarshi
R
Hage
Fadi G
FG
Hsiung
Ming Chon
MC
Nanda
Navin C
NC
Singh
Preeti
P
Manda
Jayaprakash
J
Kesanolla
Saritha Kumari
SK
Wei
Jeng
J
Yin
Wei-Hsian
WH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003199:Computer Systems; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity