Measurements of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction with three-dimensional echocardiography: feasibility and agreement compared to two-dimensional echocardiography

Three-dimensional versus two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography for left ventricular outflow tract measurements in severe aortic stenosis. A cross-sectional study using computer tomography and Haegar sizers as reference

Objectives. In grading of aortic stenosis, two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D TTE) routinely results in underestimation of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) area, and hence the aortic valve area (AVA). We investigated whether three-dimensional (3D) TTE measurements of the LVOT would be more accurate. We evaluated the feasibility, agreement and inter-observer variability of 3D TTE LVOT measurements with computed tomography (CT) and Haegar sizers as reference. Design. Sixty-one patients with severe aortic stenosis were examined with 2D and 3D TTE. 41 had CT and 13 also had perioperative Haegar sizing. Pearson's correlation and Bland-Altman plots were used to compare methods. Inter-observer variability was tested for 2D and 3D TTE. Trial registration: Current research information system in Norway (CRISTIN). Id: 555249. Results. Feasibility was 67% with 3D TTE and 100% with 2D TTE and CT. Mean LVOT area for 2D, 3D, CT and Haegar sizers were 3.7 ± 0.6 cm2, 4.0 ± 0.9 cm2, 5.2 ± 0.8 cm2 and 4.4 ± 1.0 cm2 respectively. Bias and limits of agreements for 2D TTE was 1.5 ± 1.3 cm2, compared with CT and 0.4 ± 1.5 cm2 with Haegar sizers. Corresponding results for 3D TTE were 1.2 ± 1.6 cm2 and 0.2 ± 1.8 cm2. Intraclass correlation coefficients for LVOT area were 0.62 for 3D and 0.86 for 2D. Conclusions. 2D TTE showed better feasibility and inter-observer variability in measurements of LVOT than 3D TTE. Both echocardiographic methods underestimated LVOT area compared to CT and Haegar sizers. These observations suggest that 2D TTE is still preferable to 3D TTE in the assessment of aortic stenosis.

Evaluation of Left-Sided Heart Chambers With Novel Echocardiographic Techniques in Men With Duchenne or Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is a common finding in patients with Duchenne (DMD) and Becker (BMD) muscular dystrophies. Novel echocardiographic techniques have been used for the detection of LVSD in several heart diseases. We aim to compare cardiac anatomic and functional data studied by three-dimensional (3DE) and two-dimensional (2DE) echocardiography and to analyze the myocardial strain for the detection of early LVSD in DMD and BMD patients. We performed a cross-sectional study of 46 DMD and 14 BMD patients. We measured left atrium volume and left ventricle volumes and ejection fraction using 3DE and 2DE techniques. Myocardial strain analysis was derived from global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurements. GLS was measured by 2DE with the speckle tracking technique. The correlation between 3DE and 2DE for the measurement of left atrium volume as well as left ventricle diastolic and systolic volumes was strong. 2DE presented larger left atrium and left ventricle volumes. Left ventricle ejection fraction was similar between the two techniques. Myocardial strain analysis was able to detect early LVSD in 50.0% of DMD patients and in 9.1% of BMD patients. In conclusion, two-dimensional echocardiography appears to be a good alternative for the anatomical and functional evaluation of the left heart chambers in DMD and BMD patients. Myocardial strain analysis detects early LVSD in a sizable portion of patients with dystrophinopathies.

Comparison of Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Echocardiography in Determination of Left Ventricle Volumes and Ejection Fraction in Adult Population

INTRODUCTION

Left ventricle (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF) determined with two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) show significant differences.The aim of this study is to determine the agreement of the measurements of LV volumes and EF with 2DE and 3DE in the general adult population, with preserved LV systolic function.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 52 subjects, older than 65 years, LV end-diastolic volume index (EDVi), end-systolic volume index (ESVi) and EF were measured with 2DE and 3DE according to the official recommendations, and reproducibility of both methods and their agreement were determined.

RESULTS

Intraclass correlation coefficient for intra-observer reproducibility in the measurement of EDVi, ESVi and EF with 2DE was 0.861, 0.891 and 0.917 respectively, whereas with 3DE 0.854, 0.893 and 0.913, respectively. The difference in the measurement of EDVi and ESVi was significant (p<0.001) whereas the measurement of EF was insignificant (p=0.153). The mean difference value EDVi and ESVi determined with 2DE and 3DE was 5.6+/-5.21 and 3.01+/-2.69 ml/m2 (p<0.001), and of EF 0.306+/-1.475%. Spearman's correlation coefficient for EDV was 0.693, for ESV 0.763 and for EF 0.97.

CONCLUSION

Larger LV volumes were measured in the adult population using 3DE compared to 2DE, but identical values for EF were obtained. This difference in the measured values could not be attributed to the largeness of the LV volume and EF itself.. 3DE demonstrated better intra-observer reproducibility for LV volumes and EF as a major parameter in many clinical decisions.