title: Simultaneous strain-volume analysis by three-dimensional echocardiography: validation in normal subjects with tagging cardiac magnetic resonance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to compare three-dimensional echocardiography strain-volume analysis with tagging cardiac magnetic resonance (cMR) measurements.
  
  
  METHODS
  Strain-volume analysis represents a noninvasive method to assess myocardial function and volumes simultaneously. It can be derived from echocardiography and speckle-tracking; however, it shows some variability that can limit clinical utilization. A three-dimensional approach partially overcomes these limitations since full-volume acquisition avoids images being foreshortened and geometrical reconstruction. In the study presented here, 23 healthy subjects were studied by three-dimensional echocardiography and cMR during the same session. Images were stored and the better cardiac cycle was chosen for simultaneous analysis of volumes and longitudinal (Long) and circumferential (Circ) strain. By means of full-volume acquisition all parameters can be calculated for each frame of the cardiac cycle using the speckle-tracking method. With cMR, left ventricle volumes were calculated as recommended; myocardial strains were computed in short-axis and long-axis views using the tagging technique. For each patient, volumes and strain values were plotted in a Cartesian system for strain-volume analysis. Data were compared between the two methods using Bland-Altman analysis based on mean difference and 95% limits of agreement (LoA).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The volume as measured by three-dimensional echocardiography and cMR was comparable with the slightly higher end-diastolic volumes measured by cMR (mean difference 15.24 ml; LoA -53.6 to 26.5 ml, end-systolic volume 0.3 ml; LoA -19.9 to 20.5 ml). Long shortening was very similar in the two methods (1.5%; LoA -3.9 to 7%), whereas Circ strain was systematically lower with cMR (-8.5%; LoA -15.5 to -1.5%). Very similar values between three-dimensional echo and cMR both for Slope of strain-volume curves (-0.015; LoA -0.08 to 0.05) and ratio (-0.001; LoA -0.04 to 0.04) were observed in the longitudinal plane. Analysis of strain-volume per patient showed a significant correlation coefficient between techniques for both Long Slope (r = 0.65; P = 0.001) and Long Ratio (r = 0.70; P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Longitudinal strain-volume analysis performed with three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography is closely comparable with cMR, which is usually considered the gold standard for volume and function assessment.
authors.affiliation: aCardiology, Emergency Department bRadiology Department, Versilia Hospital, Lido di Camaiore cDepartment of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering 'Guglielmo Marconi', University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy dUniversité de Lyon, CREATIS; CNRS UMR5220; Inserm U1044; INSA-Lyon; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1; Université Jean-Monnet Saint-Etienne, France.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lilli
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tessa
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diciotti
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Croisille
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clarysse
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Del Meglio
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salvatori
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vignali
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left