Clinical Application of 3-Dimensional Echocardiography in the USA

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography is one of the most promising methods for the diagnosis of cardiac disease. Left and right ventricular size and function are currently evaluated with 2D echocardiography. However, for unpredictable asymmetry of the chamber geometry, conventional 2D echocardiography cannot be used to accurately determine absolute chamber volumes and ejection fraction. As for valvular heart diseases, the 3D echo approach has proven to be the most unique, powerful, and convincing method for understanding the complicated anatomy of the valves and their dynamism. The method has been useful for surgical management, including robotic mitral valve repair. Moreover, this method has become indispensable for nonsurgical procedures such as edge-to-edge mitral valve repair. Color Doppler 3D echo has also been valuable to identify the location of the regurgitant orifice, and the severity and character of the valvular regurgitation. In addition, 3D echo is invaluable in the diagnosis and management of congenital heart disease and in certain other situations, such as evaluation of the aortic annulus for transcatheter aortic valve implantation or replacement. It is now clear that 3D echocardiography, especially with the continued development of real-time 3D transesophageal echo technology, will enhance the diagnosis and management of patients with heart diseases. (Circ J 2015; 79: 2287 -2298

Novel Mechanistic Insights Into Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation – 3-Dimensional Echocardiographic Study –

“…The utility of 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for evaluating the detailed pathogenesis of MR has been widely accepted. 14, 15 Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the characteristics of the MV structure and dynamics through 3D-TEE in patients with atrial functional MR and lone persistent AF.…”

Intracardiac Echocardiogram: Feasibility, Efficacy, and Safety for Guidance of Transcatheter Multiple Atrial Septal Defects Closure

“…Notably, 3D TEE is an excellent procedure for patients with ASDs of complex anatomies, such as multiple defects, because it provides a high spatial resolution of all defects, implanted devices, and any residual shunting [11,[23][24][25][26][27][28]. Several studies have demonstrated that 3D TEE adequately visualizes the interatrial septum of complex ASDs during transcatheter ASD closure [29][30][31][32].…”

3D Approaches in Complex CHD: Where Are We? Funny Printing and Beautiful Images, or a Useful Tool?

“…There is extensive literature reporting the value of 3D echocardiography in specific congenital cardiac defects. It has proven most helpful for the evaluation of the mitral valve where it provides physiologic, morphologic and functional assessment [ 9 ]. Three-dimensional echocardiography is a more sensitive modality compared with 2D in identifying the lesion in the mitral valve apparatus responsible for pathology [ 10 ].…”