Three-dimensional echocardiography for left ventricular quantification: fundamental validation and clinical applications

One of the earliest applications of clinical echocardiography is evaluation of left ventricular (LV) function and size. Accurate, reproducible and quantitative evaluation of LV function and size is vital for diagnosis, treatment and prediction of prognosis of heart disease. Early three-dimensional (3D) echocardiographic techniques showed better reproducibility than two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography and narrower limits of agreement for assessment of LV function and size in comparison to reference methods, mostly cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, but acquisition methods were cumbersome and a lack of user-friendly analysis software initially precluded widespread use. Through the advent of matrix transducers enabling real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and improvements in analysis software featuring semi-automated volumetric analysis, 3D echocardiography evolved into a simple and fast imaging modality for everyday clinical use. 3DE provides the possibility to evaluate the entire LV in three spatial dimensions during the complete cardiac cycle, offering a more accurate and complete quantitative evaluation the LV. Improved efficiency in acquisition and analysis may provide clinicians with important diagnostic information within minutes. The current article reviews the methodology and application of 3DE for quantitative evaluation of the LV, provides the scientific evidence for its current clinical use, and discusses its current limitations and potential future directions.     

Left Atrial Systolic and Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis: A Study Using Speckle Tracking and Conventional Echocardiography

Background

Left atrial (LA) function plays an important role in the maintenance of cardiac output, however, in patients with constrictive pericarditis (CP), whether pericardial restriction and adhesion can lead to LA dysfunction, and the characteristics of LA function remain unclear. The aim of the study is to compare the left atrial (LA) function of patients with CP to that of healthy study participants using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and conventional echocardiography.

Methods and Results

Thirty patients with CP and 30 healthy volunteers (controls) were enrolled in the study. The underlying cause of CP was viral pericarditis in 24 (80%) patients and unknown in 6 (20%) patients. The LA maximum volume (Vmax), LA minimal volume (Vmin), and LA volume before atrial contraction (Vpre-a) were measured using biplane modified Simpson’s method. The LA expansion index (LA reservoir function) was determined as follows: ([LAVmax - LAVmin]/LAVmin) ×100. The passive emptying index (LA conduit function) was calculated as follows: ([LAVmax - LAVpre-a]/LAVmax) ×100, and the active emptying index (booster pump function) was calculated as follows: ([LAVpre-a - LAVmin]/LAVpre-a) ×100. All the patients underwent two-dimensional STE. The LA global systolic strain (S), systolic strain rate (SrS), early diastolic strain rate (SrE) and late diastolic strain rate (SrA) were measured. The LA expansion index, passive emptying index, the active emptying index and the LA global S, SrS, SrE, SrA were found to be significantly lower in patients with CP than in the control participants (P <0.001). LA function was correlated with the early diastolic velocity of the lateral mitral annulus (P <0.05).

Conclusions

Although left ventricular systolic function was preserved in patients with CP, the LA reservoir, conduit, and booster functions were impaired. Pericardial restriction and impairment of the LA myocardium may play an important role in the reduction of LA function in patients with CP.     

Outcome of coronary plaque burden: a 10-year follow-up of aggressive medical management

Estimation of left ventricular (LV) mass has both prognostic and therapeutic value independent of traditional risk factors. Unfortunately, LV mass evaluation has been underestimated in clinical practice. Assessment of LV mass can be performed by a number of imaging modalities. Despite inherent limitations, conventional echocardiography has fundamentally been established as most widely used diagnostic tool. 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) is now feasible, fast and accurate for LV mass evaluation. 3DE is also superior to conventional echocardiography in terms of LV mass assessment, especially in patients with abnormal LV geometry. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) are currently performed for LV mass assessment and also do not depend on cardiac geometry and display 3-dimensional data, as well. Therefore, CMR is being increasingly employed and is at the present standard of reference in the clinical setting. Although each method demonstrates advantages over another, there are also disadvantages to receive attention. Diagnostic accuracy of methods will also be increased with the introduction of more advanced systems. It is also likely that in the coming years new and more accurate diagnostic tests will become available. In particular, CMR and CCT have been intersecting hot topic between cardiology and radiology clinics. Thus, good communication and collaboration between two specialties is required for selection of an appropriate test.     

实时三维超声心动图诊断心脏多发性粘液瘤5 例并文献分析

目的：探讨实时三维超声心动图对心脏多发性粘液瘤诊断和术前风险评估及手术方式选择的临床意义。方法：回顾性分析 我院2007 年1 月至2012 年12 月收治的经手术病理确诊为心脏多发性粘液瘤5 例患者的二维超声心动图(two-dimensionale echocardiography,2DE)、实时三维超声心动图(real-time three-dimensional echocardiography,RT-3DE)声像图特征,并结合相关文献 进行分析。结果：5 例患者的超声心动图均在心腔内探及多个活动性团块,各团块均与一蒂相连接,RT-3DE 较2DE 能准确显示粘 液瘤整体形态、位置及与周围组织清晰的界限,并定量测定其大小。结论：RT-3DE 弥补了2DE 不能显示粘液瘤立体形态图像的 缺点,可更为准确、简便、快捷地对心脏多发性粘液瘤做出诊断,并为术前风险评估及手术方式的选择提供了更可靠的依据。     

超声心动图评价左房形态和功能的临床应用进展

左房形态和功能既可反映机体的生理状态,也可反映其病理状态,左房形态和功能异常改变是冠心病、高血压、心血管硬化、中风等诸多心血管疾病的早期表现之一,是心血管死亡、心肌梗死、卒中、心力衰竭等不良心血管事件的危险因素之一,与这类疾病的预后密切相关,因而准确、有效评估左房形态和功能在不良心血管事件的诊疗及预后评估中意义重大。采用超声心动图评价左房形态和功能具有无创、实时高效、价格低廉及可重复性高等优点,临床上应用非常广泛。随着超声技术的进步,除二维超声心动图、彩色多普勒超声心动图等常规超声技术外,组织多普勒显像(TDI)技术、由TDI派生出来的应变及应率显像技术、实时三维超声心动图(RT-3DE)、二维斑点追踪成像(2D-STI)技术、三维斑点追踪成像(3D-STI)技术等新型超声技术也逐渐应用于左房形态、功能的评价中,然而不同的超声技术评价左房形态和功能仍有一定的不足之处,本研究就不同超声心动图评价左房形态和功能的临床应用及研究进展进行综述。     

Clinical application of three-dimensional echocardiography: past, present and future

Significant advances in three-dimensional echocardiography have made this modality a powerful diagnostic tool in the cardiology clinic. It can provide accurate and reliable measurements of chamber size and function, including the quantification of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony to guide patient selection for cardiac resynchron-isation therapy. Furthermore, three-dimensional echocardiography offers novel views and comprehensive anatomic definition of valvular and congenital abnormalities, improving diagnosis and preoperative planning. In addition, it is extremely useful in monitoring the effectiveness of surgical or percutaneous transcatheter interventions. As its efficacy for more and more clinical applications is demonstrated, it is clear that three-dimensional echocardiography has become part of the routine clinical diagnostic armamentarium. In this article, we describe the development of three-dimensional echocardiography over the last decades, review the scientific evidence for its current clinical use and discuss potential future applications. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:18-24.)     

Left ventricular strain, rotation, and torsion as markers of acute myocardial ischemia

This study investigates how tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) describe regional myocardial deformation during controlled reductions of left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery perfusion pressure. In eight anesthetized pigs, a shunt with constrictor was installed from the brachiocephalic artery to the LAD. Data were obtained with open shunt, followed by four degrees of stenosis (S1-S4) of increasing severity: S1, ～15%; S2, ～35%; S3, ～50%; and S4, ～60% reductions of LAD perfusion pressure. At each situation, microspheres for perfusion measurements were injected and left ventricular (LV) short- and long-axis cineloops were recorded. In the anterior wall, radial, circumferential, and longitudinal one-layer STE strain, one-layer radial TDI strain, and three-layer radial TDI and STE strain were measured. LV peak mean rotation was measured at six equidistant levels from apex to base (in 7 pigs). LV torsion was calculated from end-systolic mean rotation. With open shunt, three-layer TDI analysis showed a transmural strain gradient with no perfusion gradient. Perfusion, one-layer TDI strain, and strain in the mid- and subendocardium from three-layer TDI were reduced at S2 (P < 0.05). STE strain was not affected until S3 (P < 0.05). Peak mean rotation, increasing toward the apex, decreased at the three apical levels at S4 (P < 0.05). LV torsion did not decrease (P = 0.26). In conclusion, TDI strain detected dysfunction already with minor changes in global hemodynamics, whereas STE strain was first reduced with moderate changes. LV peak mean rotation was not reduced until severe reduction of LAD perfusion pressure, but remained increasingly counterclockwise toward the apex. LV torsion remained unaffected by ischemia.     

实时三维超声心动图诊断心脏多发性粘液瘤5例并文献分析

目的：探讨实时三维超声心动图对心脏多发性粘液瘤诊断和术前风险评估及手术方式选择的临床意义。方法：回顾性分析我院2007年1月至2012年12月收治的经手术病理确诊为心脏多发性粘液瘤5例患者的二维超声心动图（two-dimensionale echocardiography,2DE）、实时三维超声心动图（real-time three-dimensional echocardiography,RT-3DE）声像图特征,并结合相关文献进行分析。结果：5例患者的超声心动图均在心腔内探及多个活动性团块,各团块均与一蒂相连接,RT-3DE较2DE能准确显示粘液瘤整体形态、位置及与周围组织清晰的界限,并定量测定其大小。结论：RT-3DE弥补了2DE不能显示粘液瘤立体形态图像的缺点,可更为准确、简便、快捷地对心脏多发性粘液瘤做出诊断,并为术前风险评估及手术方式的选择提供了更可靠的依据。     

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction diagnosed by transthoracic threedimensional echocardiography

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of chest distress, associated with activity. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) demonstrated a suspected trabeculation versus false tendon of the left ventricular apex cordis but not meeting the diagnostic criteria of noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (NVM). Threedimensional echocardiography (3DE) revealed more prominent trabeculations and deeper intertrabecular recesses of the left ventricular apex, which were consistent with the diagnostic criteria of NVM. In contrast to 2DE, 3DE provides wide, pyramid-shaped datasets that encompass the entire left ventricle. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:208–10.)     

Age is an independent risk factor for left atrial dysfunction: results from an observational study

Introduction. The degenerative changes of myocardial tissue are thought to influence left atrial (LA) function. Changes of left atrial function are generally due to changes in left ventricle (LV) compliance. But valvular dysfunction and hypertension as comorbidity cannot be ignored. Women have a different clinical profile compared with men concerning the risk of heart failure. We investigated the influence of increasing age and gender corrected for comorbidity, on left atrial function. Methods. Using an open access echocardiography database, supplemented with additional LA function measurements, we defined three different LA function parameters. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated to reproduce the relation between age, gender and LA function. The association between age, gender and LA function was estimated, and corrected for comorbid conditions as valve disease, high blood pressure and LV dysfunction, using logistic regression. Results. Higher age was positively correlated with increased LA volume, decreased ejection fraction and increased LA kinetic energy. Age per decade increase, corrected for comorbidity, resulted in an increased risk of LA dysfunction (OR between 1.5 and 1.9). Gender had little influence on LA function parameters except for LA maximal volume. Men had a significantly larger LA maximal volume compared with women. Conclusions. In this open access echocardiography database, increasing age was correlated with LA dysfunction. Age per decade increase, corrected for comorbid conditions such as mitral and aortic valve disease, hypertension and heart failure, is an independent risk factor for LA dysfunction. The gender influence on LA dysfunction seems to be limited. (Neth Heart J 2010;18:243-7.)     

Atrial fibrillation: an unusual cause

A 28-year-old male presenting with atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent successful electrical cardioversion to restore sinus rhythm. He had no prior history of AF or other cardiac disease. However, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), performed to exclude structural abnormalities as a cause of AF, demonstrated a large mass in the left atrium (LA). For further analysis the patient was referred to our centre, and echocardiography, multislice detector computed tomography (MDCT) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) were performed for further noninvasive diagnostic work-up.     

History of echocardiography in the Netherlands: 30 years of education and clinical applications

The development of ultrasound has created great opportunities for diagnostic cardiac imaging. For more than 30 years, echocardiography has been the most important and cost-effective diagnostic imaging modality in clinical cardiology. Many developments originated in the Netherlands, including the very first practical real-time crosssectional imaging of the moving heart with a linear array. Milestones include the first portable echo apparatus, early versions of echo catheters and transoesophageal echocardiography probes as well as many clinical ‘firsts’ with reference to the more than 100 Dutch dissertations related to echocardiography. The future of echocardiography promises to be as productive and exciting as it has been in the previous three decades, including threedimensional echocardiography, myocardial perfusion echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging and speckle tracking. New potential therapeutic applications are upcoming. In this article, the advances of echocardiography in the Netherlands are described, in the past and during 30 years of education, as was recently presented by three Dutch pioneers during the ‘Echomiddagen 2006-2007’ organised by the CVOI. (Neth Heart J 2008;16: 16-20.)     

New approaches in small animal echocardiography: imaging the sounds of silence

Systolic and diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle (LV) is a hallmark of most cardiac diseases. In vivo assessment of heart function in animal models, particularly mice, is essential to refining our understanding of cardiovascular disease processes. Ultrasound echocardiography has emerged as a powerful, noninvasive tool to serially monitor cardiac performance and map the progression of heart dysfunction in murine injury models. This review covers current applications of small animal echocardiography, as well as emerging technologies that improve evaluation of LV function. In particular, we describe speckle-tracking imaging-based regional LV analysis, a recent advancement in murine echocardiography with proven clinical utility. This sensitive measure enables an early detection of subtle myocardial defects before global dysfunction in genetically engineered and rodent surgical injury models. Novel visualization technologies that allow in-depth phenotypic assessment of small animal models, including perfusion imaging and fetal echocardiography, are also discussed. As imaging capabilities continue to improve, murine echocardiography will remain a critical component of the investigator's armamentarium in translating animal data to enhanced clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases.     

Tomographic molecular imaging and 3D quantification within adult mouse organs

A convenient technology to quantify three-dimensional (3D) morphological features would have widespread applications in biomedical research. Based on combined improvements in sample preparation, tomographic imaging and computational processing, we present a procedure for high-resolution 3D quantification of structures within intact adult mouse organs. Using the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model, we demonstrate a correlation between total islet beta-cell volume and the onset of type-1 diabetes.     

Diffusion weighted imaging in small rodents using clinical MRI scanners

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) has emerged as a unique and powerful non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique with a major potential impact on imaging-based diagnosis in a variety of clinical applications including oncology and tissue viability assessment. In light of increasing demand for applying this technique in preclinical investigations using small animals, we have explored the potentials of a clinical magnet for acquiring the DWI in rats and mice with either cerebral ischemia or solid tumors. Through technical adaptation and optimization, we have been able to perform a series of clinically relevant animal studies with conclusions based on DWI quantification. Focusing more on practical aspects and cross-referencing with the current literature, this paper is aimed to summarize our ongoing DWI studies on small rodents with stroke and tumors, and to provide protocols for researchers to replicate similar techniques in their own preclinical and clinical studies.     

超声评价糖尿病肾病的临床价值

分析超声检查技术在糖尿病肾病（diabetic nephropathy,DN）中的应用,并探讨二维灰阶超声（two—dimensionalgray—scale ultrasonographyic,2D—US）、超声背向散射积分（integral backscatter signal, IBS ）、彩色多普勒血流成像（color doppler flow imaging,CDFI）、彩色多普勒能量图（color doppler energy,CDE）、三维超声（three—dimensional ultrasonographyie,3D—US）、超声造影（Contrast—enhanced ultrasound,CEUS）等超声检查技术对糖尿病肾病的临床价值。     

Left atrial conduit volume is generated by deviation from the constant-volume state of the left heart: a combined MRI-echocardiographic study

Although modeling the four-chambered heart as a constant-volume pump successfully predicts causal physiological relationships between cardiac indexes previously deemed unrelated, the real four-chambered heart slightly deviates from the constant-volume state by ventricular end systole. This deviation has consequences that affect chamber function, specifically, left atrial (LA) function. LA attributes have been characterized as booster pump, reservoir, and conduit functions, yet characterization of their temporal occurrence or their causal relationship to global heart function has been lacking. We investigated LA function in the context of the constant-volume attribute of the left heart in 10 normal subjects using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contemporaneous Doppler echocardiography synchronized via ECG. Left ventricular (LV) and LA volumes as a function of time were determined via MRI. Transmitral flow, pulmonary vein (PV) flow, and lateral mitral annular velocity were recorded via echocardiography. The relationship between the MRI-determined diastolic LA conduit-volume (LACV) filling rate and systolic LA filling rate correlate well with the relationship between the echocardiographically determined average flow rate during the early portion of the PV D wave and the average flow rate during the PV S wave (r = 0.76). We conclude that the end-systolic deviation from constant volume for the left heart requires the generation of the LACV during diastole. Because early rapid filling of the left ventricle is the driving force for LACV generation while the left atrium remains passive, it may be more appropriate to consider LACV to be a property of ventricular diastolic rather than atrial function.     

Dose-dependent disintegration of human endothelial monolayers by contrast echocardiography

Biological effects on endothelium induced by contrast ultrasound (US) may be relevant for transferring drugs into the tissue. An in vitro tissue-mimicking phantom was developed to simulate clinical precordial echocardiography of three modalities (two-dimensional (2DE), pulsed wave (PW), and Power Doppler echocardiography) with gradual increases of acoustic output (mechanical index (MI) 0.0-1.6 and thermal index soft tissue (TIS) 0.0-1.3, respectively; transmit-frequency 1.8 MHz in second harmonic mode (SHI) by 2DE, 1.8 MHz for PW-Doppler, and 3.2 MHz for Power Doppler) as well as contrast agent (CA) concentrations (0.002-4 mg/mL Levovist). Disintegration of the endothelial monolayer was quantitatively analyzed by counting intercellular gaps in light microscopy. No gaps were observed in CA application without sonication. Only few gaps appeared at sonication without CA application in 2DE at MI=1.6 and in PW- and Power Doppler at TIS > or =0.4 and MI > or =0.4. The number of gaps increased significantly with the gradual increase of US output and to a comparably lesser but also significant extent with CA concentrations. Diagnostic contrast echocardiography may induce endothelial disintegrations dependent on US output as well as on CA concentrations. This aspect might be helpful in further in vivo series on local drug delivery.     

Induction of the yeast alpha-specific STE3 gene by the peptide pheromone a-factor

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibits two mating types, a and alpha. Efficient mating of a and alpha cells requires the action of peptide pheromones secreted by each cell type. For example, a cells secrete a-factor, which alters the physiology of alpha cells, thereby preparing those cells for mating. To investigate the mechanism by which the pheromones act on the target cells, we have examined the effect of a-factor on expression of the STE3 gene, a gene which is required for mating by alpha cells and which is expressed only in alpha cells. We have monitored STE3 expression by two assays: RNA production from the chromosomal STE3 locus and beta-galactosidase activity produced from a plasmid-borne STE3-lacZ gene fusion. By both assays we show that a-factor induces a rapid increase in STE3 expression. Induction of STE3 RNA occurs even if protein synthesis is blocked by cycloheximide. Using temperature-sensitive cell division cycle mutants, we have also shown that induction occurs in cells arrested at several discrete positions in the cell cycle. These results demonstrate (1) that induction of STE3 expression by a-factor is a primary response to the pheromone, and (2) that alpha cells are capable of responding to a-factor regardless of their position in the cell cycle.