Initial experience using contrast enhanced real-time three-dimensional exercise stress echocardiography in a low-risk...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Echocardiography

Background:

• Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) shows promise for dobutamine stress testing.
• The feasibility of contrast-enhanced RT3DE during exercise treadmill stress testing remains unexplored.

Observation:

• Two-dimensional (2D) and 3D imaging were acquired in 39 patients at rest and peak exercise, with contrast used in 74% of cases.
• 3D acquisition proved feasible irrespective of contrast use, and was faster than 2D acquisition (35.2±17.9s vs 51.6±14.7s).
• Manual 3D reconstruction visualized 88.6% of resting and 84.9% of stress segments, compared to 93.2% and 91.4% for 2D, respectively.

Findings:

• Contrast-enhanced RT3DE is feasible during treadmill stress echocardiography.
• Image acquisition time was significantly reduced with 3D compared to 2D imaging.
• Visualization rates for 3D were comparable to 2D, suggesting its utility in clinical practice.

Implications:

• This study establishes the feasibility of contrast-enhanced RT3DE in a challenging clinical setting.
• Faster acquisition times with RT3DE may improve patient throughput and comfort during stress tests.
• RT3DE offers a potentially valuable tool for assessing cardiac function under stress conditions.