Is 3D Dobutamine stress echocardiography ready for prime time? Diagnostic and prognostic implications

Compare the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of echo contrast enhanced 2D and 3D Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE).

We included 718 patients indicated for DSE. All had standard 2D, and contrast enhanced left ventricular opacification (LVO) for 2D and 3D acquisitions at rest and peak stress. Chi-square test was done to assess relationship between DSE result and early revascularization. Kaplan-Meier plots with Logistic regression analysis predicted late major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at a maximum follow-up of 84 months. The mean age was 63 ± 13 years (61% males) and follow-up was obtained in 692/718 (96.4%) patients. Only 32% had excellent baseline image quality. The DSE was abnormal in 19.4% patients on 2D, in 17.1% on 2D-LVO and in 19.1% on 3D-LVO. Early revascularization was performed in, respectively, 32.8%, 45.8%, and in 48.5% of stress-positive 2D, 2D-LVO, and 3D-LVO studies. After excluding the 66 patients receiving early revascularization 68/626 (10.9%) had MACE at a maximum follow-up of 84 months. Kaplan-Meier plots showed that stress-positive 2D-LVO and 3D-LVO studies not receiving early revascularization when assessed separately and combined had significantly worse outcomes for MACE compared with stress-negative patients (OR 3.69; 95% CI: 1.54-8.87; P = 0.011, OR 4.54; 95% CI: 1.72-12.93; P = 0.008, and OR 7.07, 95% CI: 1.62-25.16; P = 0.001, respectively).

Combined use of 2D- and 3D-LVO DSE is ready for prime time considering the feasibility, improved diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value.