Measurement of right ventricular mass and volume by three-dimensional echocardiography by freehand scanning.

OBJECTIVE

Three-dimensional echocardiography (3D echo) by freehand scanning provides highly accurate measurements of left mass & volume using the piecewise smooth subdivision surface reconstruction method. The complexity of right ventricular (RV) geometry presents a challenge in accurate 3D assessments of its physical parameters. The authors measured the accuracy of their 3D echo technology in measuring RV mass and volume.

METHODS

From 10 bovine hearts, the freewall mass and endocardial volume were measured. The hearts were imaged by 3D and the RV contours were manually traced. The endo- and epicardial surfaces were reconstructed. RV volume and mass from the reconstructions were compared to true measurements.

RESULTS

3D echo RV volume overestimated true volume (y=1.2x, r=0.998, SEE=3.2 ml, p<0.001), over a range of volumes (14-62 ml). The mean overestimation of RV volume by 3D echo was 6.2 ml, or 15.8% of the mean true volume. 3D echo mass agreed well with RV mass (y=1.0x, r=0.996, SEE=4.5 g, p=0.031) over a range of 47 to 79 g. Mean difference between 3D and true mass was 3.4 g, or 5.4% of the mean true mass.

CONCLUSION

RV mass and volume can be measured accurately from 3D echocardiograms acquired using freehand scanning and reconstruction by the piecewise smooth subdivision method.