Clinical Use of Real‐Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Pediatric Cardiology

Abstract

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography is a technique that allows three-dimensional imaging without any geometrical assumptions or need for reconstruction from two-dimensional images. This imaging technique should be particularly useful in the pediatric population, for whom a complex cardiac anatomy must be defined. We review the potential usefulness of real-time three-dimensional imaging in the pediatric population and the potential limitations associated with this technique.

Dynamic free‐hand three‐dimensional fetal echocardiography gated by cardiotocography

“…Three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiography has been demonstrated to be an innovative and promising method for diagnosis and evaluation of congenital heart disease1–4. Unfortunately, in the fetus, 3D imaging of the heart faces some unresolved limitations.…”

Real‐Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography Using a Novel Matrix Array Transducer

“…Three‐dimensional imaging has multiple advantages over 2D echocardiography. This modality provides the following: (1) accurate quantification of left and right ventricular volumes, 1–15 left ventricular mass, 8 , 16–26 and left ventricular ejection fraction 27–33 without the need for geometric assumptions; (2) improved visualization of spatial relations between cardiac structures, which is important when assessing complex congenital heart disease; 34–43 and (3) unique views of valve structures 44–54 that are not readily obtained from conventional 2D images. For example, en face views of the mitral valve apparatus either from an atrial or ventricular perspective offer a unique insight into the physiology of valve mechanics.…”

Three‐ and four‐dimensional freehand fetal echocardiography: a feasibility study using a hand‐held Doppler probe for cardiac gating

“…In infants and adolescents, gated 3D echocardiography has been shown to be of particular use in the diagnosis of heart disease and during therapeutic intervention5, 6. Similar advantages may result from the further technical development of fetal 3D echocardiography.…”

“…Some of the limitations of conventional 2D echocardiography may be compensated for by 3D echocardiography. In postnatal life, 3D echocardiography has been demonstrated to be particularly useful for the diagnosis and evaluation of complex congenital heart disease3–6. Unfortunately, in the fetus, several challenges have limited the extension of 3D imaging of the fetal heart to the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease.…”