Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026
Assessment of Right Ventricular Structure and Function in Mouse Model of Pulmonary Artery Constriction by Transthoracic Echocardiography
Published on: February 3, 2014
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.
