Measurement of right ventricular mass and volume by three-dimensional echocardiography by freehand scanning

Objective: Three-dimensional echocardiography (3D echo) by freehand scanning provides highly accurate measurements of left ventricular mass and volume using the piecewise smooth subdivision surface reconstruction method. The complexity of right ventricular (RV) geometry presents a challenge in accurate 3D assessments of its physical parameters. We measured the accuracy of our 3D echo technology in measuring RV mass and volume. Methods: From 10 bovine hearts, the freewall mass and endocardial volume were measured The hearts were imaged by 3D and the RV contours were manually traced. The endo- and epicardial surfaces were reconstructed. RV volume and mass from the reconstructions were compared to true measurements. Results: 3D echo RV Volume overestimated true volume ((y=1.2x, r=0.998, SEE=3.2 ml, p <0.001), over a range of volumes (14 - 62 ml). The mean overestimation of RV volume by 30 echo was 6.2 ml, or 15.8 % of the mean true volume. 3D echo mass agreed well with RV mass (y=1.0x, r=0.996, SEE=4.5 g, p=0.031) over a range of 47 to 79 g. Mean difference between 30 and true mass was 3.4 g, or 5.4 % of the mean true mass. Conclusion: RV mass and volume can be measured accurately from 30 echocardiograms acquired using freehand scanning and reconstruction by the piecewise smooth subdivision method.