Quantification of Right Ventricular Volumes and Function by Real Time Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Longitudinal Axial Plane Method: Validation in the Clinical Setting

• Published in: Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.) Vol. 23; no. 10; pp. 853 - 859
• Main Authors: Endo, Yuka, Maddukuri, Prasad V., Vieira, Marcelo L.C., Pandian, Natesa G., Patel, Ayan R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.11.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aortic Valve - diagnostic imaging; Aortic Valve - physiopathology; Computer Systems; echocardiography; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional; Female; Heart Ventricles - diagnostic imaging; Humans; Image Enhancement; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; imaging; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged; Mitral Valve - diagnostic imaging; Mitral Valve - physiopathology; Observer Variation; Research Design; right ventricle; Stroke Volume; Ventricular Function, Right
• ISSN: 0742-2822; 1540-8175
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8175.2006.00327.x

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). Conclusion: 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.