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Left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction quantification using an automated three-dimensional adaptive analytic
José J Carvajal-Rivera1, Johanna C López-Quintero1, Cristina González-Menchén2
1Cardiology Department, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, IDISSC, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
The Heart Model® (HM) is an accurate tool for assessing pediatric cardiac function. This automated echocardiography algorithm shows good agreement with 3D echocardiography for measuring left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction in children over 6.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Pediatric Echocardiography
Background:
- Echocardiography is crucial for diagnosing pediatric heart conditions.
- Accurate measurement of left ventricular function is essential for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the Heart Model® (HM), an automated 3D echocardiography algorithm, in a pediatric population.
- To compare HM measurements of left atrial and ventricular volumes and ejection fraction against conventional 2D and 3D echocardiography.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study included 75 pediatric patients (aged 6-17 years).
- Patients underwent conventional 2D/3D echocardiography and analysis with HM.
- Conventional 3D echocardiography served as the reference standard.
Main Results:
- HM showed good agreement with 3D echocardiography for left ventricular end-diastolic volume (ICC: 0.98), end-systolic volume (ICC: 0.98), and ejection fraction (ICC: 0.87).
- Agreement remained strong when analysis was adjusted for body weight.
- HM agreement with 2D echocardiography was poor.
Conclusions:
- The Heart Model® is a feasible and accurate tool for evaluating cardiac volumes and ejection fraction in children over 6 years old.
- HM offers a reliable automated approach for pediatric echocardiographic analysis.
Introduction:
The quantitative measurement of the left ventricle by echocardiography is a fundamental tool in the diagnosis and prognosis of acquired and congenital diseases in the pediatric population. The objective of this study was to validate an automated three-dimensional adaptive analytic echocardiographic algorithm, the so-called Heart Model® (HM) in the pediatric population, using as comparators the left atrial and left ventricular volumes and left ventricular ejection fraction obtained by means of conventional 2D and 3D echocardiography.
Methods:
Pilot study, where a population comprised of 75 consecutive patients aged 6-17 years who attended a pediatric cardiology clinic, was evaluated. Every patient underwent a conventional 2D and 3D echocardiography and an analysis using HM. Conventional 3D echo was used as the reference method.
Results:
Seventy-five patients were analyzed. Mean age was 11.2 (4.0) years (52.2% women). The intraclass correlation coefficient of HM vs 2D echo was poor, but it was good for the agreement between HM and 3D echo for left ventricular end-diastolic volume (ICC: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97-0.99; P < 0.001), left ventricular end-systolic volume ICC: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-0.99; P = 0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction (ICC: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78-0.92; P < 0.001). The agreement was also good for the three parameters when the analysis was performed according to body weight.
Conclusions:
Heart Model® is a feasible and accurate tool for the evaluation of left atrial and left ventricular volumes and left ventricular ejection fraction in pediatric population aged above 6 years.
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