Quantitative measurement of the aortic-mitral angle by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

ABSTRACT

Objective To quantitatively investigate the dynamic changes of aortic-mitral angle (AMA) using real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) in the whole cardiac cycle. Methods RT3D-TEE was performed in 19 patients in West China Hospital of Sichuan University in January to March 2016. Custom software of Acuson-4.0 eSie Valves was used to detect and track the mitral and aortic annuli in 3D space throughout the cardiac cycle, allowing automated measurement of changes in AMA. The dynamic changes of AMA during a whole cardiac cycle were observed using paired t test. And the inter-observer and intra-observer variability were evaluated by Bland-Altman analysis. Results AMA was smaller in systole than in diastole (111.35°±10.68°vs. 118.14°±10.89°, t=-2.56, P < 0.05).The inter-observer and intra-observer repeatability were good,and the 95% confidence interval was (-6.6°, 5.6°) and (-7.1°, 8.7°) (r=0.80, P=0.0055 and r=0.69, P=0.0283). Conclusions Quantitative measurement of the AMA by RT3D-TEE is feasible, with good inter-observer and intra-observer agreement. These parameters may contribute to the implementation of the aortic or mitral valves replacement.