早期肠内营养管理模式在胰十二指肠切除术后护理中的疗效分析

目的:探讨早期肠内营养管理模式在胰十二指肠切除术(PD)后护理中的疗效。方法:选择2021年1月至6月南京大学医学院附属鼓楼医院肝胆外科收治的67例PD患者为对照组,2021年7月至12月收治的46例PD患者为实验组。对照组采用全肠外营养为主的营养管理模式,实验组采用肠内营养为主的营养管理模式。比较两组患者在手术前后营养状态、治疗费用、住院时间及并发症情况。结果:实验组术后第7天的血清白蛋白(Alb)、前白蛋白(PA)水平均显著高于对照组,且术前与术后的差值均低于对照组(P <0.05)。实验组总住院时间、术后住院时间、住院费用均低于对照组(P <0.05)。实验组胰瘘、胆瘘发生率显著低于对照组(P <0.05)。结论:以早期肠内营养为主的营养管理模式能显著降低PD术后患者的并发症发生率,加速患者术后康复,降低医疗费用,缩短住院时间。     

多学科协作的全程营养管理模式在胃癌新辅助化疗患者中的应用

目的 探讨多学科协作的全程营养管理模式在胃癌新辅助化疗患者营养管理中的应用效果。 方法 将60例拟行新辅助化疗的胃癌患者随机分为研究组（30例）和对照组（30例）。在新辅助化疗期间,对照组实施常规营养管理,研究组实施多学科协作的全程营养管理,监测并比较两组患者治疗前后营养指标的变化,以及化疗期间不良反应的发生率。 结果 治疗1个周期后和治疗2个周期后,两组的体重变化差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。治疗2个周期后,两组的血清总蛋白、血清白蛋白变化差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,而两组血清前白蛋白变化差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;在治疗期间,研究组恶心或呕吐、血红蛋白（hemoglobin,Hb）减少的发生率明显低于对照组（P＜0.05）,而两组腹泻、血清总胆红素（total bilirubin,TBIL）降低升高、丙氨酸转氨酶（alanine aminotransferase,ALT）或天冬氨酸转氨酶（aspartate transaminase,AST）升高、白细胞计数（white blood cell,WBC）降低、血小板计数降低及外周神经毒性的发生率差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。 结论 多学科协作的全程营养管理有利于改善胃癌新辅助化疗患者的营养状况,降低化疗不良反应发生率,提高抗肿瘤治疗的耐受程度。     

肠外营养支持对慢性阻塞性肺疾病营养不良患者中蛋白和肺功能的影响

目的 探讨肠外营养和肠内营养支持对合并营养不良的慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者血清中白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白、肺功能变化等指标的变化情况,为临床治疗COPD营养不良提供依据.方法 82例营养不良COPD患者随机分为治疗组（n=46）和对照组（n=36）.对照组使用抗生素和/或机械通气、支气管扩张剂、糖皮质激素等基础治疗配合肠内营养.治疗组加用肠外静脉营养支持,2周后比较两组患者血清中白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白和肺功能变化.结果 入院时两组患者血清中白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白、FEV1、FVC的比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.治疗组患者血清白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白、FEV1、FVC均较治疗前明显改善,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）,对照组仅有血清白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白三项参数较治疗前明显改善,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）,治疗后治疗组的血清白蛋白、前白蛋白、转铁蛋白、FEV1、FVC等指标参数均较对照组明显改善,差异有统计学意义（P ＜0.05或0.01）.对照组平均住院（17.5±3.0）天,观察组平均住院（16.0±3.0）天,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,治疗组住院时间短于对照组.结论 营养支持治疗可明显改善营养不良COPD患者肺功能和低蛋白血症,与单纯肠内营养相比,肠外营养配合肠内营养取得更好的疗效.     

胃癌全胃切除术后早期肠内营养支持的临床效果观察

目的 探讨胃癌全胃切除术后早期肠内营养支持的临床疗效.方法 将60例行全胃切除术的胃癌患者,随机分为治疗组与对照组各30例.所有患者在综合治疗基础上,对照组术后每日行完全肠外营养支持治疗直到经口进食;治疗组术中留置鼻空肠营养管,术后先行静脉营养支持,第2天开始经鼻空肠营养管滴入肠内营养制剂.观察比较两组术后肠功能恢复首次排气、排便时间;两组患者术后第1、7天的血清白蛋白和血清前白蛋白变化情况;平均住院时间及费用.结果 治疗组肠功能恢复首次排气、排便时间短于对照组（P＜0.01）.两组患者手术后第1天血清白蛋白和血清前白蛋白水平与手术前比较均明显下降,两组间差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.两组治疗第7天时血清白蛋白和血清前白蛋白水平均升高,以治疗组更明显（P＜0.05）.治疗组平均住院时间及费用均少于对照组（P＜0.05）.结论 早期肠内营养支持能够促进胃肠功能恢复、改善营养状况、降低医疗费用以及缩短住院时间,是胃癌全胃切除术后的首选营养途径,值得推广应用.     

全程营养管理模式对脑卒中患者早期康复的影响!

目的：探讨卒中单元患者应用全程营养管理模式对早期康复效果的影响。方法选择四川省绵阳市中心医院2012年1月-2014年1月收治的符合纳入标准的脑卒中患者168例,将其分为观察组（90例）和对照组（78例）。对照组实施常规护理,观察组在此基础上实施全程营养管理模式进行干预,记录并比较两组在干预前,干预后2、4周末血清白蛋白（ALB）、血清前白蛋白（PA）、体重指数（BMI）;干预前、干预后4周末的Glagow昏迷量表（GCS）评分、美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（NIHSS）评分和日常生活活动能力（ADL）评分。使用SPSS 17.0软件进行统计分析。结果干预4周后,观察组ALB、PA、BMI值分别是（37.41±2.41）g/L、（191.60±26.31）ng/L、（22.59±3.19）kg/m2,各项值均明显优于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（均〈0.01）;GCS、NIHSS、ADL评分分别为（12.48±1.37）、（10.54±2.19）、（46.89±10.69）分,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05或〈0.01）。结论全程营养管理模式规范了卒中患者的营养支持,可较好改善脑卒中患者的营养状况,促进卒中患者的康复。     

肠内营养支持在食管癌围手术期中的应用效果

【摘要】 目的 探析肠内营养支持在食管癌围手术期中的应用效果。方法 选择2017年12月～2018年10月在我院接受手术治疗的84例食管癌患者作为研究对象,按随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组,每组各42例。对照组术后行肠外营养支持,观察组术后行肠内营养支持,比较两组患者的营养指标、免疫功能以及术后康复状况。结果 术后第1d,两组患者的转铁蛋白(IF)、血清白蛋白(ALF)、血清总蛋白(TP)以及体质量指数(BMI)比较均无显著性的差异（P＞0.05）;术后第8d,观察组的上述营养指标均显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）,且观察组术后第8d的CD3+、CD4+、CD8+、CD4+/CD8+、IgA、IgM、IgG水平均明显优于对照组（P＜0.05）;观察组术后并发症发生率较对照组低,住院时间较对照组明显缩短（P＜0.05）。 结论 对食管癌围手术期患者实施肠内营养支持能够有效改善其营养状况,提高机体免疫力,有利于促进患者术后康复,可在临床推广应用。     

全程营养管理模式在泌尿系统恶性肿瘤手术患者加速康复中的应用

目的 探讨加速康复外科（enhanced recovery after surgery, ERAS）中的营养管理对泌尿系围手术期肿瘤患者康复情况的影响。方法 采用定点连续采样的方法,选取2017年12月—2018年4月同济大学附属第十人民医院泌尿外科收治的泌尿系恶性肿瘤手术患者作为研究对象,依据是否实施ERAS将患者分为实验组（ERAS营养管理）和对照组（传统围手术期管理）。比较两组患者营养风险筛查评分、患者主观整体营养评估评分,术前及术后的血清白蛋白、血红蛋白、前白蛋白、C反应蛋白、血糖浓度和白细胞、淋巴细胞计数、主观舒适度（饥饿感、口渴感、疼痛感、焦虑感）评分,术后恢复经口进食时间、并发症发生情况、营养支持情况、疾病转归情况、住院时间及住院费用。结果 按照纳入标准与排除标准,共收集患者102例,其中实验组57例,对照组45例。与对照组相比,实验组术后血清前白蛋白浓度升高、C反应蛋白浓度降低、手术前后的口渴感及术前焦虑感降低、术后恢复进食时间缩短、疾病转归较好（P＜0.05）。结论 加速康复外科中的营养管理有助于减少泌尿系恶性肿瘤患者手术造成的应激反应、改善主观舒适度、改善术后营养状态及疾病转归情况,从而促进康复。     

早期肠内联合肠外营养支持治疗对恶性梗阻性黄疸患者临床预后的影响

目的：探讨早期肠内联合肠外营养支持治疗对恶性梗阻性黄疸患者手术后临床预后的影响。方法将48例恶性梗阻性黄疸患者,随机分为治疗组（早期肠内联合肠外营养支持组）与对照组（TPN组）各24例。所有患者在术后综合治疗基础上,对照组每日行完全肠外营养支持治疗直到经口进食;治疗组留置液囊空肠营养管,术后先行静脉营养支持,第3天开始经空肠营养管滴入肠内营养制剂。观察两组患者术后肠功能恢复首次排气、排便时间;两组患者术后第1天、第7天的血清白蛋白和血清前白蛋白变化情况;两组患者术后第7天的谷丙转氨酶、总胆红素、直接胆红素变化情况;平均住院时间及日均住院费用。结果治疗组肠功能恢复首次排气、排便时间短于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0．01）。两组患者手术后第1天血清白蛋白和血清前白蛋白水平与手术前比较均明显下降,差异无统计学意义（P＞0．05）;两组第7天时血清白蛋白和血清前白蛋白水平均升高,以治疗组更明显（P＜0．05）。两组治疗第7天时谷丙转氨酶、总胆红素、直接胆红素水平均较手术前降低,以治疗组更明显（P＜0．05）。治疗组平均住院时间及日均住院费用均少于对照组（P＜0．05）。结论早期肠内联合肠外营养支持治疗能促进胃肠功能恢复、改善营养状况、有利于肝脏功能恢复、降低医疗费用以及缩短住院时间,是恶性梗阻性黄疸患者手术后的首选营养途径。     

免疫增强型肠内营养方案联合微创腹腔引流在重症急性胰腺炎中的临床应用

目的探讨免疫增强型肠内营养方案联合微创腹腔引流应用于重症急性胰腺炎（severe acute pancreatitis,SAP）的临床效果。 方法回顾性分析SAP患者136例的临床资料,均常规采取微创腹腔引流等综合性治疗措施。根据肠内营养方式不同分为对照组62例（给予普通肠内营养治疗）和联合组74例（给予免疫增强型肠内营养方案）。于治疗前和治疗7 d后比较2组血清营养指标［白蛋白（albumin,Alb）、前白蛋白（prealbumin,PA）、转铁蛋白（transferrin,Tf）］、血清体液免疫指标［免疫球蛋白（immunoglobulin,Ig）A、IgG、IgM］变化,比较2组7 d、30 d病死率及基本康复指标差异。 结果2组7 d病死率差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。联合组30 d病死率明显低于对照组（P＜0.05）。治疗7d后,2组血清Alb、PA、Tf、IgA、IgG、IgM水平均明显高于治疗前,联合组血清Alb、PA、Tf、IgA、IgG、IgM水平明显高于对照组（P＜0.05）。联合组恢复进食时间、引流时间、住重症监护病房时间及住院时间均明显短于对照组（P＜0.05）。 结论免疫增强型肠内营养方案联合微创腹腔引流治疗SAP效果显著,有利于提高存活率,加快身体恢复。     

生态免疫肠内营养在慢性阻塞性肺疾病急性加重患者中的应用

目的 探讨生态免疫肠内营养对慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）急性加重期患者营养、免疫功能、生活质量的影响.方法 采取随机对照试验方法,将58例COPD急性加重期患者分为生态免疫肠内营养组（EIEN组）（n=29）和对照组（n=29）,疗程2周.比较两组患者治疗前后COPD评估测试（CAT）评分、体质量指数（BMI）、肱三头肌皮褶厚度（TSF）、上臂肌围（MAMC）、血清白蛋白（ALB）、前白蛋白（PA）浓度及免疫球蛋白、细胞亚群等指标的变化.结果 治疗2周后,两组患者CAT评分均较治疗前显著降低（P ＜0.001）.EIEN组治疗后CAT评分显著低于对照组（17.2±5.3 vs 24.6±4.8,P＜0.001）.治疗后EIEN组MAMC较治疗前升高（P＜0.05）,但与对照组治疗后比较无显著差异.治疗后EIEN组血清ALB、PA较治疗前均有显著升高（P＜0.001）;对照组患者血清PA较治疗前亦有升高（P＜0.05）.两组比较,治疗后EIEN组血清ALB、PA均显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）.治疗后EIEN组血清IgG、IgM、CD3、CD4/CD8较治疗前显著升高,CD8较治疗前降低,对照组患者IgM较治疗前亦有升高.两组治疗后比较,EIEN组血清IgG、IgM、CD3、CD4/CD8显著高于对照组,而CD8则显著低于对照组.结论 生态免疫肠内营养可显著改善COPD急性加重期患者的营养状况、免疫功能及生活质量,疗效优于普通肠内营养制剂,值得进一步研究并在临床推广应用.     

Value of D-Dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection

Objective: To evaluatel the value of D-dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: This study consisted of 16 patients with AAD and 27 non-AAD patients. Serum D-dimets were measured by Sta-Liatest D-DI immunoturbidimetric assay. Results: D-dimer level was higher (P ＜ 0.001) in patients with AAD(7.91 ± 5.52 μg/ml) than that in non- AAD group(1.57±1.24 μg/ml). D-dimer was positive (＞0.4 μg/ml) in all patients with AAD and in 10 control group patients (37%). Among patients with acute AAD, D-dimers tended to be higher in Stanford A than in Stanford B (8.67 ± 4.31 μg/ml vs. 3.24±1.27 μg/ml, P ＜0.01). D-dimer values tended to be higher in more extended disease(3.84 ± 1.65 μg/ml, 8.57 ± 3.58 μg/ml and 11.87 ± 5.69 μg/ml in thoracic aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta and iliacal arteries, respectively, P ＜ 0.05 for both 8.57 ± 3.58 and 11.87 ± 5.69 vs. 3.84 ± 1.65 ). Including the control group into the analysis, we found a sensitivity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 100%, and a specificity of 66% and a positive predictive value of 64% for D-dimer in diagnosis of AAD in our patients with suspected AAD. Conclusion: D-dimer was elevated in patients with AAD. A negative D-dimer test result could be useful in excluding AAD.     

Research of combined liver-kidney transplantation model in rats

Objective： To set up a simple and reliable rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation. Methods： SD rats served as both donors and recipients. 4℃ sodium lactate Ringer＇s was infused from portal veins to donated livers,and from abdominal aorta to donated kidneys, respectively. Anastomosis of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava （IVC） inferior to the right kidney between the graft and the recipient was performed by a double cuff method, then the superior hepatic vena cava with suture. A patch of donated renal artery was anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta. The urethra and bile duct were reconstructed with a simple inside bracket. Results： Among 65 cases of combined liver-kidney transplantation, the success rate in the late 40 cases was 77.5%. The function of the grafted liver and kidney remained normal. Conclusion： This rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation can be established in common laboratory conditions with high success rate and meet the needs of renal transplantation experiment.     

BLOOD PRESSURE CHANGE WITH AGE IN SALT-SENSITIVE TEENAGERS

Objective To observe blood pressure change with age in salt-sensitive teenagers whose salt sensitivity were determined by repeated testing.Methods Salt sensitivity was determined through intravenous infusion of normal saline combined with volume-depletion by oral diuretic furosemide in 55 teenagers. After five years, salt sensitivity was re-examined and subject blood pressure was followed up. Blood pressure changes in salt-sensitive teenagers were compared to that of non-salt sensitive teenagers over five years.Results After 5 years, the repetition rate of salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading is 92.7%. In teenagers with salt sensitivity on the baseline, both the systolic blood pressure increments and increment rates were much higher than non-salt sensitive teenagers (12.7±12.1 mmHg vs. 2.8±5.2 mmHg, P＜ 0.01; 12.2%± 12.0% vs. 2.5% ±4.4%, P＜ 0.001,respectively). There was a similar trend for diastolic blood pressure (8.4 ± 6.4 mmHg vs. 3.7 ± 6.4 mmHg, P = 0.052; 13.2% ±10.6 % vs. 6.8%± 10.1%, P = 0.053, respectively).Conclusions Salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading showed good reproducibility. Blood pressure increments with age were much higher in salt-sensitive teenagers than non-salt sensitive teenagers, especially in terms of systolic blood pressure.     

安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术后生活质量影响的研究

目的：评价使用安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（PPCI）术后生活质量的影响.方法：将160例接受PPCI的急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者随机分为安心颗粒组（术前顿服安心颗粒8.8g,术后安心颗粒4.4 g/次,每日2次）和对照组（仅接受基础药物治疗）.所有患者均服用阿司匹林、氯吡格雷和阿托伐他汀.分别在入院时、出院前1d、出院后180 d时,应用心肌梗死多维度量表（MIDAS）、中文版SF-36评价量表对患者生活质量评分.并观察术后30 d以内的出血并发症、血小板减少症发生情况.结果：入院时和出院前1d,两组患者的心肌梗死MIDAS、SF-36量表评分比较无差异（P＞0.05）;出院后180 d时,与对照组比较,安心颗粒组MIDAS、SF-36评分明显减低（P＜0.05）;组内与入院时比较,两组出院前1d、出院后180 d时,MIDAS、SF-36评分均降低（P＜0.05）.两组患者在随访期间均无大量出血、少量出血、重度和极重度血小板减少症发生,安心颗粒组有4例、对照组有7例发生不明显出血（P＞0.05）.两组发生轻度血小板减少症的患者数比较无差异（P＞0.05）.结论：PPCI使用安心颗粒,能改善急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的生活质量,且不增加出血风险.     

The comparative studies of the influences of Urapidil and Nicardipine on sino-atrial node function, atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics

Objective:To investigate the influences of urapidil and nicardipine on rabbit sinus function,atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics.Methods:Thirty-two Angora's rabbits were selected and randomly divided into four groups.U1 group:urapidil 0.25 mg/kg;U2 group:urapidil 0.5 mg/kg;N1 group:nicardipine 10 μg/kg;N2 group:nicardipine 20 μg/kg.All these medicine were administrated within 30 seconds.Measurements were taken before and after the administration of urapidil or nicardipine for the following data:mean blood pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),sino-atrial conduction time(SACT),maximal sinoatrial recovery time(SNRTmax)corrected sinus node recovery time(CSNRT),index of sinus node recovery time(SNRTI),Wenckebach A-V conduction frequency (WB),and P-R interval.Results:Significant MAP and HR changes were identified in all of the four groups before and after administration of both urapidil and nicardipine.No significant changes could be found in the rest of the parameters.Intergroup analysis showed that SACT and CSNRT of N1 and N2 groups were shorter than those of the U2 group(P＜0.01);the MAP decreased(P＜0.01)and the HR increased drastically(P＜0.01).Conclusions:Neither urapidil(0.25 mg/kg,0.5 mg/kg)nor nicardipine(10μg/kg,20μg/kg)has any significant influence on rabbit sinus function or rabbit atrio-ventricular node function.Nicardipine could be a better choice than urapidil for parafunctional sinus node patients.     

Expression of OPGmRNA and ODFmRNA in the patients of hip fracture due to osteoporosis

Objective：To investigate the gene expression of osteoprotegerin（OPG） and osteoclast differentiation factor（ODF） in the bone tissue of patients with hip fracture due to osteoporosis. Methods：OPGmRNA and ODFmRNA in the bone tissue in 50 cases of osteoporosis sufferers（over 50 years old） with hip fracture（Observer Group） and 30 cases of hip facture sufferers with no osteoporosis（Control group） were analyzed with the Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR method. Results：The mRNA expressed of ODF, OPG were both high in the patients with hip fracture. In the control group, the expression of OPG mRNA was observed, while the expression of ODF mRNA was very slight. Conclusion：Aged patients contained all signals including OPG, ODF that are essential for inducing osteoclastogenesis and promoting bone resorption.     

The clinicopathological and immuohistochemical analysis of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas： report of 9 cases

Objective：To investigate the clinical features, pathological characteristics and immunophenotype of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas（SPTP）. Methods：Nine surgically treated cases of SPTP were retrospectively reviewed. Hematoxylin and Eosin（HE） staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to analyze all cases, and the general clinical data was collected. Results：Six patients were asymptomatic except for a palpable mass. Two patients complained of vague-epigastric pain. One patient appeared jaundice. The tumor was encapsulated and solid tissues alternately with cystic tissues. Histologically, the histological structure of solid portion was pseudopapillary with a fibrovascular core. Tumor cells were uniform and medium-sized which were arranged in sheets ets or nests or pseudopapillary patterns. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that SPTP proved positive in vimentin（9/9 cases）, AAT（9/9 cases）, NSE（9/9 cases）, ACT（7/9 cases）, CK20（2/9 cases）, CgA（1/9 cases）, S-100（3/gcases）, PR（4/gcases）, Syn（3/9 cases） and CD56（5/9cases）, negative in CEA and ER. Conclusion：SPTP is a tumor predominantly occurring in young women frequently without special symptoms. This tumor has various characteristical histological patterns with different immunophenotype.     

Scientific principles and rigorous processes should be followed in developing clinical guidelines for therapeutic interventions of integrative medicine

A clinical guideline for the therapeutic interventions of integrative medicine may be defined as a written document which states a series of recommendations on therapeutic interventions of integrative medicine for a special disease or condition. The guideline may provide assistance to medical professionals in making clinical decisions aimed at improving the clinical outcome of patients and reducing the costs of medical care（~＇4~. Recommendations issued by a guideline should be based on the best available evidence in both Western and Chinese medicine. For fulfilling this purpose, the development of clinical guidelines for therapeutic interventions in the field of integrative medicine should follow scientific principles and undergo a rigorous processes.     

Dynamic Changes in Serum Estradiol and Progesterone levels in Patients of Premenstrual Syndrome with Adverse Flow of Liver-qi

Objective:To probe into the influence of changes of ovarian hormones on the pathogenesis of the specific sub-type premenstrual syndrome(PMS)and reveal partial microcosmic mechanisms of adverse flow of liver-qi.Methods:Estradiol(E2)and progesterone(P)levels in serum were determined at different phases of menstrual cycle by radioimmunoassay.Results:In the group of PMS with adverse flow of liver-qi.the secretive peak value Of E2 and P at the follicular phase significantly decreased,and the secretive peak value at the luteal phase did not come into being.Conclusions:Low E2 and P secretive peak at the follicular phase and absence of secretive peak at the luteal phase is one of the microcosmic mechanisms of PMS with adverse flow of liver-qi.One of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of specific sub-type PMS is probably the continuous low level of E2and P.     

Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography in Assessment of Left Ventricular and Right Ventricular Volumes

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE)is a new ultrasound technique that enables dynamic threedimensional visualization and quantification of the heart in real time. Investigation of feasibility and methodology of RT3DE in determining left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes, RT3DE was performed in 35 normal adults using Philips SONOS 7500 system with a 2-4 MHz matrix array transducer. The 60°×60° "pyramid" volume database was obtained and analyzed on a TomTec echo workstation. Both LV and RV volumes were calculated with four 3DE methods (i.e. apical 2, 4, 8, and 16-plane) through manually tracing ventricular endocardial borders in end diastole and end systole. Stroke volumes were then calculated. LV volume was also measured by 2DE Simpson's rule using GE VIVID 7 ultrasound machine.