Evaluation of left ventricular volume and function in patients with myocardium infarction and dilated cardiomyopathy by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Objective To assess the accuracy and value of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE) for quantifying the left ventricular(LV)volumes and ejection fraction in patients with myocardium infarction and dilated cardiomyopathy.Methods Thirty-six patients were divided into two groups:Group MI included 26 patients with myocardial infarction;Group DCM were consisted of 10 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy,and 20 healthy subjects with normal LV geometry and wall motion were enlisted as control group.The LV end diastolic volume(LVEDV),LV end systolic volume(LVESV) and LV ejection fraction were measured by 3DQ-Qlab analysis software offline using MOD method.Then the results were compared with those measured by 2-DE using modified Simpson method and M-Teichholz method.Results In MI、DCM groups,the results of LVEDV、LVESV obtained by 2-DE were significantly lower than that of RT-3DE.In MI、DCM groups,the results of LVEDV、 LVESV、 LVEF obtained by ME were significantly higher than that of RT-3DE.In control group,there was no difference among RT-3DE,2-DE and ME for LV volume and EF measurement(P0.05).The results of LVEF obtained by RT-3D showed good correlation with 2-DE in control、MI、DCM groups.The measurement of LVEF obtained by RT-3D showed good correlation with M-mode in control,MI,and DCM group.Conclusion RT-3DE can accurately display heart stereochemical structure,and can objectively reflect the LVF changes of patients with MI and DCM.