Investigation of mitral annular geometry using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography

Objective To investigate The method and feasibility of analysing mitral annulus geometry via real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE). Methods The full-volume image was acquired on RT-3DE both at baseline and after left circumflex (LCX) artery occlusion in 8 canines. Then mitral annulus was marked. The mitral annular projective area was measured. The mitral annular configuration was also observed and was compared at the baseline and after LCX occlusion. Results 1. Mitral annulus was showed “stero-saddle” shape after being marked. 2. After LCX occlusion, mitral annulus asymmetrically dilated mainly in posterior portion, near posterior commissure, with area increased by 31.9±5.6% (P0.05), and the mitral annulus became flatter after LCX occlusion than at the baseline. Conclusions Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography may be used as a non-invasive method to investigate the configuration of mitral annulus at different pathophysiologic status. It may give a hand to investigate the main mechanism of functional mitral regurgitation.