Value of three-dimensional echocardiography as an adjunct to conventional transesophageal echocardiography

Three-dimensional imaging of cardiac structures could enhance the functional understanding and the interpretation of pathologies. Limited processing capabilities, relocation problems and inadequate two-dimensional image quality have previously limited its applicability. Recently, an integrated echocardiographic computerized tomography unit (echo-CT) which uses a transesophageal approach has been developed. This system is capable of sampling and processing multiple echocardiographic images and, thus, provides three-dimensional views. To evaluate the feasibility and potential of this technique, we studied 69 patients with various cardiac disorders. All but 3 patients (96%) tolerated the procedure well allowing at least one scan to be performed. No complications were encountered. The indication for echo-CT included coronary artery disease (n = 4), mitral valve disease (n = 18), suspected arterial embolism (n = 19), masses (n = 8), congenital malformation (n = 10), postcardiac surgery (n = 8), aortic aneurysm (n = 1) and suspected left-to-right shunt (n = 1). Conventional transesophageal echocardiography revealed a pathology in 45 patients. Of these pathologies, 37 (82%) could be reconstructed and displayed in three-dimensional views. Three-dimensional imaging provided an improved spatial understanding of the pathology in 21 cases (39%). Echo-CT was especially valuable in diseases of the mitral value (i.e. mitral valve prolapse, flail leaflets, mitral stenosis) where it had the potential to delineate the location, type and morphology of defects. In conclusion, three-dimensional transesophageal imaging enhances image interpretation and understanding. This could be of value in complex morphologies and cardiac disorders in which surgical repair is attempted.