A composite three-dimensional echocardiographic technique for left ventricular volume estimation in children:...

A composite three-dimensional (3D) echographic left ventricular (LV) reconstruction to measure LV volumes was evaluated in 26 children. Four apical views, to minimize assumptions about LV shape, were used to obtain a "wire-cage" model of the LV in 3D. Numerical integration was used to make estimates of both end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes. Volume estimates obtained with echographic techniques and those obtained with the angiographic biplane method were compared. The echographic volume estimates were systematically smaller (p less than 0.005), and a consistent trend, though not significant, was observed indicating that this systematic error is less for the 3D method. One-way analysis of variance confirmed significant global geometric fluctuations. Hence, 3D reconstruction can be performed in a clinical setting, and the enhanced graphic representation of global LV geometry may contribute to improved patient management.