A study on the scanning method and normal cross sectional images by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography / 中华超声影像学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the methodology of sca nning, cutting and measuring normal cardiovascular structures by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) and it's clinical applications. Methods Conventional two-dimensional echocardiography (2-DE), RT-3DE and full volume three-dimensional echocardiography (FV-3DE)were performed in 20 normal volunteers to visualize normal cardiovascular structures in multiple orientations and cross sections both in static and dynamic fashions, and all echo images derived by three techniques were compared and analyzed.Results Technically satisfactory 2-DE, RT-3DE and FV-3DE images were obtained in all subjects. Compared with conventional 2-DE technique, RT-3DE has the advantages of instantly displaying three orthogonal planes and spatial relationships of any cardiac structure within a "piece of cake" images of a regional heart, while FV-3DE has the superiority in rapidly depicting three orthogonal planes and spatial relationships of any cardiac structure within a pyramid images of a whole heart. Conclusions Both RT-3DE and FV-3DE techniques can display cardiac structures unobtainable by 2-DE and are useful in reducing the subjectivity and blindness of 2-DE studies, which may enhance the diagnostic accuracy and work efficiency of echo laboratories and produce important clinical values.