Clinical application of three-dimensional echocardiography: past, present and future

Abstract

Significant advances in three-dimensional echocardiography have made this modality a powerful diagnostic tool in the cardiology clinic. It can provide accurate and reliable measurements of chamber size and function, including the quantification of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony to guide patient selection for cardiac resynchron-isation therapy. Furthermore, three-dimensional echocardiography offers novel views and comprehensive anatomic definition of valvular and congenital abnormalities, improving diagnosis and preoperative planning. In addition, it is extremely useful in monitoring the effectiveness of surgical or percutaneous transcatheter interventions. As its efficacy for more and more clinical applications is demonstrated, it is clear that three-dimensional echocardiography has become part of the routine clinical diagnostic armamentarium. In this article, we describe the development of three-dimensional echocardiography over the last decades, review the scientific evidence for its current clinical use and discuss potential future applications. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:18-24.).

Evaluation of Stroke Volume and Ventricular Mass in a Fetal Heart Model: A Novel Four‐Dimensional Echocardiographic Analysis

“…Three‐dimensional echocardiography/4DE display significant advantages over 2DE resulting from the ability to comprehensively image the anatomy of the heart . RT3DE/4DE with a matrix array transducer allows acquisition of instantaneous full‐volume cines via steering the beam in multiple directions to acquire a sequence of pyramidal volumes in real time .…”

“…Real time three‐dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) or 4DE uses a matrix phased array probe that allows instantaneous acquisition of a beating fetal heart without gating . Theoretically, RT3DE is the most direct and simple way of acquiring 4D fetal cardiac data because it obviates the need for gating, which is a potential source of artifact .…”

“…[19][20][21] Real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) or 4DE uses a matrix phased array probe that allows instantaneous acquisition of a beating fetal heart without gating. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Theoretically, RT3DE is the most direct and simple way of acquiring 4D fetal cardiac data because it obviates the need for gating, which is a potential source of artifact. 29,30,33 Many studies [27][28][29][30][31][32][33] have used RT3DE for visualization of cardiac structure of the fetal heart, though its accuracy for quantification of cardiac volume and mass remains to be evaluated.…”

Real Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiographic Evaluations of Fetal Left Ventricular Stroke Volume, Mass, and Myocardial Strain: In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Study

“…22 RT3DE has the potential to improve patient counseling and interdisciplinary communication. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Many studies [24][25][26][27][28][29] have used RT3DE for visualization of cardiac structures of the fetal heart, although its accuracy for quantification of cardiac volume, mass, and myocardial strain remains to be evaluated. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Many studies [24][25][26][27][28][29] have used RT3DE for visualization of cardiac structures of the fetal heart, although its accuracy for quantification of cardiac volume, mass, and myocardial strain remains to be evaluated.…”

“…23 The new matrix-phased array transducers facilitate instantaneous image acquisition of a beating fetal heart without gating, a potential source of artifacts. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30] Many studies [24][25][26][27][28][29] have used RT3DE for visualization of cardiac structures of the fetal heart, although its accuracy for quantification of cardiac volume, mass, and myocardial strain remains to be evaluated. These in vitro and in vivo studies aimed to assess the feasibility and reproducibility of nongated RT3DE to determine SV, LVM, and myocardial strain using fetal heart analogs under different conditions.…”