Overestimation of Left Ventricular Mass and Misclassification of Ventricular Geometry in Heart Failure Patients by Two‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Comparison with Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography

Background: Accurate assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and ventricular geometry is important, especially in patients with heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to compare the assessment of ventricular size and geometry by 2D and 3D echocardiography in normotensive controls and among HF patients with a normal and a reduced ejection fraction. Methods: One hundred eleven patients, including 42 normotensive patients without cardiac disease, 41 hypertensive patients with HF and a normal ejection fraction (HFNEF), and 28 patients with HF and a low ejection fraction (HFLEF), underwent 2DE and freehand 3DE. The differences between 2DE and 3DE derived LVM were evaluated by use of a Bland–Altman plot. Differences in classification of geometric types among the cohort between 2DE and 3DE were determined. Results: Two‐dimensional echocardiography overestimated ventricular mass compared to 3D echocardiography (3DE) among normal (166 ± 36 vs. 145 ± 20 gm, P = 0.002), HFNEF (258 ± 108 vs. 175 ± 47gm, P < 0.001), and HFLEF (444 ± 136 vs. 259 ± 77 gm, P < 0.001) patients. The overestimation of mass by 2DE increased in patients with larger ventricular size. The use of 3DE to assess ventricular geometry resulted in reclassification of ventricular geometric patterns in 76% of patients with HFNEF and in 21% of patients with HFLEF. Conclusion: 2DE overestimates ventricular mass when compared to 3DE among patients with heart failure with both normal and low ejection fractions and leads to significant misclassification of ventricular geometry in many heart failure patients. (Echocardiography 2010;27:223‐229)     

Incremental Value of Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography over Two‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Mid‐Ventricular Obstruction and Apical Aneurysm

We describe a case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with mid‐left ventricular obstruction and apical aneurysm containing thrombi where live/real time three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography provided incremental value over two‐dimensional echocardiography in assessing the findings.     

Three‐Dimensional Contrast Echocardiography in Assessing Left Ventricular Diverticulum

Congenital left ventricular (LV) diverticulum is a rare malformation that can be alone or in association with other congenital abnormalities. Since the several complications have been reported in association with LV diverticulum, as cardiac rupture, heart failure, and endocarditis, patients with LV diverticulum who are managed with conservative treatment would require regular checkups to ascertain the absence of such complications. We report a case of LV diverticulum in a 47‐year‐old man. He took the serial three‐dimensional contrast echocardiography, which was reliable and readily available tool for defining LV diverticulum and monitoring the presence of complications.     

The Role of Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Interventricular Mass Evaluation

A young patient underwent a screening electrocardiogram (EKG) that suggested apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Serial investigation with echocardiography showed a well‐defined hyperechogenic mass involving the interventricular septal. To better define the lesion extension three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiography was done and it demonstrated a mass invading the septal myocardium, involving the major part of the muscular portion. The findings were highly suggestive of a cardiac fibroma. A cardiac magetic resonance image (MRI) was also compatible with this diagnosis. In our case, 3D echo showed a high accuracy, proving to be a useful tool to determine the anatomy of the lesion, complementary to MRI, guiding best management strategy.     

Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy of Supramitral Ring

Real time three‐dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) allows for accurate morphological characterization of congenital heart disease and complements two‐dimensional (2D) echocardiography. Accurate evaluation of the mitral valve and supramitral ring prior to surgery aids the surgeon in successful resection of the ring and repair of associated mitral valve abnormalities. We report a case of congenital mitral valve stenosis from a supramitral ring in a young child using real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.     

Simplified Single Plane Echocardiography Is Comparable to Conventional Biplane Two‐Dimensional Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Left Atrial Volume: A Study Validated by Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in 143 Individuals

The left atrial volume index (LAVI) is a biomarker of diastolic dysfunction and a predictor of cardiovascular events. Three‐dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is highly accurate for LAVI measurements but is not widely available. Furthermore, biplane two‐dimensional echocardiography (B2DE) may occasionally not be feasible due to a suboptimal two‐chamber apical view. Simplified single plane two‐dimensional echocardiography (S2DE) could overcome these limitations. We aimed to compare the reliability of S2DE with other validated echocardiographic methods in the measurement of the LAVI. We examined 143 individuals (54 ± 13 years old; 112 with heart disease and 31 healthy volunteers; all with sinus rhythm, with a wide range of LAVI). The results for all the individuals were compared with B2DE‐derived LAVIs and validated using 3DE. The LAVIs, as determined using S2DE (32.7 ± 13.1 mL/m²), B2DE (31.9 ± 12.7 mL/m²), and 3DE (33.1 ± 13.4 mL/m²), were not significantly different from each other (P = 0.85). The S2DE‐derived LAVIs correlated significantly with those obtained using both B2DE (r = 0.98; P < 0.001) and 3DE (r = 0.93; P < 0.001). The mean difference between the S2DE and B2DE measurements was <1.0 mL/m². Using the American Society of Echocardiography criteria for grading LAVI enlargement (normal, mild, moderate, severe), we observed an excellent agreement between the S2DE‐ and B2DE‐derived classifications (κ = 0.89; P < 0.001). S2DE is a simple, rapid, and reliable method for LAVI measurement that may expand the use of this important biomarker in routine echocardiographic practice.     

Utilizing Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Cardioscopic Left Ventricular Myxoma Resection

A 31‐year‐old female presented with right‐sided stroke symptoms. She was found to have a left ventricular (LV) mass on transthoracic echocardiogram. Subsequent transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) with concurrent three‐dimensional (3D) imaging revealed a 2‐cm mobile mass, suspicious for a myxoma, attached to the anteroseptal LV wall. Given the size and location of the mass seen on the 3D images, the cardiothoracic surgeons chose to avoid resection via aortotomy or ventriculotomy and instead performed video‐assisted cardioscopic resection of the LV mass via left atriotomy. The mass was successfully removed, and pathology confirmed that it was a myxoma.     

Role of Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in Management of Acquired Intracardiac Shunts

Gerbode defect and sinus of Valsalva aneurysm fistula are congenital and acquired forms of intracardiac shunt. The increasing prevalence of invasive, recurrent cardiovascular procedures cause tissue damage and has led to more iatrogenic and acquired cases of predominantly congenital shunt over time. We report 2 cases of acquired intracardiac fistula precisely defined by Real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE). The first case is a 70‐year‐old male with Gerbode defect after second aortic valve replacement surgery due to prosthetic valve endocarditis and the other case is a 41‐year‐old male with sinus of Valsalva aneurysm fistula between aorta and right atrium post subclinical infective endocarditis. Advanced cardiac imaging techniques such as cardiac computerized tomography, MRI and Real time three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiography help to precisely detect intracardiac fistula and provide detailed anatomic and physiologic information. The relatively low cost, lack of radiation exposure, portability and guiding characteristic make real time 3DTEE an imaging technique with arguably the most advantages. Surgical repair is the usual treatment for intracardiac shunt, and percutaneous catheter‐based closure is a less invasive alternative.     

Incremental Value of Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography over Two‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Assessment of Lambl's Excrescences and Nodules of Arantius on the Aortic Valve

In this retrospective study, we identified 7 cases where Lambl's excrescences were identified by two‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2DTEE) and also had live/real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) studies available for comparison. We subsequently assessed them for the presence of Lambl's excrescences (LE) and nodules of Arantius (NA) on the aortic valve. After their identification, we qualitatively and quantitatively organized our findings by number, cusp location, measurements, and orientation if applicable. A greater number of LE was found by 3DTEE than 2DTEE (19 vs. 11, respectively). In all 3DTEE studies, their cusp attachment site, their x‐, y‐, and z‐axis measurements, and orientation were clearly visualized and described. Only 3DTEE studies provided confident visualization of the cusp attachment sites. Similarly, a greater number of NA was found by 3DTEE than 2DTEE (21 vs. 5, respectively). The triad of NA was visualized in all 3DTEE studies and each was described using its x‐, y‐, and z‐ axis measurements. Only three 2DTEE studies provided reliable identification of the NA. In conclusion, we present further evidence of the incremental value of 3DTEE over 2DTEE in the qualitative and quantitative assessment of cardiac structures including LE and NA on the aortic valve.     

Incremental Value of Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography over the Two‐Dimensional Technique in Percutaneous Closure of Aortic Paraprosthetic Regurgitation

We describe 2 patients with significant aortic paraprosthetic regurgitation who underwent percutaneous closure where live/real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography provided incremental value over two‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.     

Diagnosis of Pentacuspid Aortic Valve with Severe Regurgitation Using Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography

Monocuspid and quadricuspid aortic valves are a rare congenital valve malformation, and less common is the pentacuspid aortic valve (PAV). Echocardiography is a helpful noninvasive technique for their diagnosis. In this article, we describe a 48‐year‐old female patient with a PAV and severe aortic regurgitation that was diagnosed using three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.     

Incremental Value of Three‐Dimensional over Two‐Dimensional Transthoracic Echocardiography in the Assessment of Cor Triatriatum Sinister in a Child

A 2.5‐year‐old boy presented with frequent hospitalizations due to recurrent respiratory tract infections with dyspnea. A fibromuscular membrane dividing the left atrium with obstruction of left atrial inflow to the left ventricle was documented by two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE). Live/real time three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) provided incremental value over 2DTTE by providing en face views of the 2 obstructing orifices in the membrane enabling accurate assessment of their position, shape and size. 3DTTE also showed clearly the location of the membrane superior and proximal to the left atrial appendage which was not well delineated by 2DTTE. In addition, 3DTTE demonstrated the full extent of the left atrial appendage and careful sequential cropping of the 3D dataset showed it to have 2 distinct lobes and no thrombus. These findings provided comprehensive assessment of the lesion and were helpful in surgical decision making and planning.