Evaluation of left ventricular rotation by two-dimensional speckle tracking method and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography: comparison with MRI tagging method.
BACKGROUND
Recently, it has become possible to evaluate left ventricular (LV) torsion by two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking images. However, LV torsion is a three-dimensional (3D) performance, which per se cannot be assessed by the 2D speckle tracking method. The present study investigated the accuracy of the 2D speckle tracking method and real-time 3D echocardiography in measuring LV rotation, comparing with the MRI tagging method.


METHODS
We assessed LV apical rotation using the 2D speckle tracking method, real-time 3D echocardiography, and MRI tagging method in 26 normal subjects, and compared the results of these three methods. LV apical rotation was measured just before the level in which the posterior papillary muscle was absorbed into the free wall.


RESULTS
The degree of LV apical rotation evaluated by the 2D speckle tracking method (Δθ 2D) was significantly smaller than that evaluated by 3D echocardiography (Δθ 3D) and the MRI tagging method (Δθ MRI) (Δθ 2D 7.3 ± 2.8°; Δθ 3D 8.8 ± 3.4°; Δθ MRI 9.0 ± 3.4°; Δθ 2D vs. Δθ 3D, p = 0.0001; Δθ 2D vs. Δθ MRI, p < 0.0001). There were good correlations among Δθ 2D, Δθ 3D, and Δθ MRI, but agreement between Δθ 3D and Δθ MRI (mean difference 0.14 ± 1.43°) was better than that between Δθ 2D and Δθ MRI (mean difference 1.68 ± 1.89°).


CONCLUSIONS
The degree of LV apical rotation was underestimated with the 2D speckle tracking method compared with the MRI tagging method, whereas it could be precisely measured by 3D echocardiography.
Department of Radiology, Tenri Hospital, 200 Mishima-cho, Tenri, Nara, 632-8552, Japan. hayashi@tenriyorozu-hp.or.jp.
Hidetaka
H
Hayashi
Department of Cardiology, Tenri Hospital, Tenri, Japan.
Chisato
C
Izumi
Department of Clinical Pathology, Tenri Hospital, Tenri, Japan.
Shuichi
S
Takahashi
Department of Radiology, Tenri Hospital, 200 Mishima-cho, Tenri, Nara, 632-8552, Japan.
Masato
M
Uchikoshi
Department of Radiology, Tenri Hospital, 200 Mishima-cho, Tenri, Nara, 632-8552, Japan.
Ryou
R
Yamazaki
Division of Health Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Toshihiko
T
Asanuma
Division of Health Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Fuminobu
F
Ishikura
Division of Health Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Shintaro
S
Beppu
Division of Health Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
Satoshi
S
Nakatani
Echocardiography; Rotation; Speckle tracking; Three-dimensional; Torsion