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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
Quantification of left ventricular volumes and function in patients with cardiomyopathies by real-time
Osama I I Soliman1, Boudewijn J Krenning, Marcel L Geleijnse
1Department of Cardiology, Thoraxcenter, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
The full volume reconstruction (FVR) method for left ventricular (LV) volume analysis is faster and more accurate than multiplane interpolation (MI) in patients with cardiomyopathy and distorted LV geometry.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Left ventricular (LV) volume analysis is crucial for managing cardiomyopathy.
- Distorted LV geometry in cardiomyopathy poses challenges for accurate echocardiographic assessment.
- Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography offers potential for improved LV volume quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the accuracy and efficiency of two semi-automated border detection algorithms for LV volume analysis.
- To evaluate multiplane interpolation (MI) and full volume reconstruction (FVR) methods in patients with cardiomyopathy and distorted LV geometry.
Main Methods:
- 53 patients with cardiomyopathy and adequate 2D image quality were included.
- Real-time 3D echocardiography using MI and FVR methods for LV volume analysis.
- Magnetic resonance imaging served as the reference standard for comparison.
Main Results:
- Both MI and FVR showed strong correlation (R² > 0.95) with reference MRI for LV volumes and ejection fraction.
- FVR analysis was significantly faster than MI (6±2 vs. 15±4 minutes, P < .01).
- MI underestimated LV volumes more than FVR, with greater bias for end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes.
Conclusions:
- In patients with cardiomyopathy and distorted LV geometry, FVR is a faster and more accurate method for LV volume assessment.
- The FVR method demonstrates superior performance compared to MI for quantitative LV analysis in challenging cases.
- Real-time 3D echocardiography with FVR enhances the evaluation of LV volumes in complex cardiac conditions.
Objective:
We evaluated two different commercially available real-time 3-dimensional echocardiographic semiautomated border detection algorithms for left ventricular (LV) volume analysis in patients with cardiomyopathy and distorted LV geometry.
Methods:
A total of 53 patients in sinus rhythm with various types of cardiomyopathy (mean age 56 +/- 11 years, 28 men) and adequate 2-dimensional image quality were included. The real-time 3-dimensional echocardiographic multiplane interpolation (MI) and full volume reconstruction (FVR) methods were used for LV volume analysis. Magnetic resonance imaging was used as the reference method.
Results:
A strong correlation (R(2) > 0.95) was found for all LV volume and ejection fraction measurements by either real-time 3-dimensional echocardiographic method. Analysis time was shorter with the FVR method (6 +/- 2 vs 15 +/- 4 minutes, P < .01) as compared with the MI method. Bland-Altman analysis showed greater underestimation of end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes by MI compared with FVR. For the MI method a bias of -24.0 mL (-15.0% of the mean) for end-diastolic volume and -11.3 mL (-18.0% of the mean) for end-systolic volume was found. For FVR analysis these values were -9.9 mL (-6.0% of the mean) and -5.0 mL (-9.0% of the mean), respectively. Ejection fraction was similar for the MI and FVR method with a mean difference compared with magnetic resonance imaging of 0.6 (1.0%) and 0.8 (1.3%), respectively.
Conclusion:
In patients with cardiomyopathy, distorted LV geometry, and good 2-dimensional image quality, the FVR method is faster and more accurate than the MI method in assessment of LV volumes.
