Evaluation of canine right ventricular volume and systolic function by real time three-dimensional echocardiography

Objective To observe the reliability of measuring right ventricular volume and systolic function by three-dimensional echocardiography. Methods Right ventricular Full Volume imaging at baseline and cardiac insufficiency in 6 dogs was acquired by RT-3DE. Right ventricular end diastolic volume (RVEDV) and right ventricular end systolic volume (RVESV) were outlined using apical three plane method by the analysis software of RT-3DE offline. RVSV and RVEF were calculated [RVSV=RVEDV-RVESV; RVEF=(RVEDV-RVESV)/RVEDV]. Tricuspid annual systolic displacement was measured by quantitative tissue velocity imaging (QTVI). The diameter (D) of main pulmonary was measured by two-dimensional echocardiography. The velocity time (VTI) was acquired from main pulmonary blood flow spectra. The main pulmonary blood flow quantity (Q) was derived from D and VTI (Q=[π/4]×D2×VTI). Results There was positive correlation of TVS to RVSV and to RVEF derived from RT-3DE (r=0.89; r=0.94). There was strong positive correlation between RVSV and Q (r=0.97). Conclusion Three-dimensional echocardiography can be used to determine right ventricular volume and systolic function rapidly, accurately and noninvasively.