Left ventricle function analysis with real-time three-dimensional ultrasound

Conventional B-mode echocardiography is commonly used to assess ventricular function, but it is inherently limited by its tomographic nature and operator dependence for obtaining standard views. Use of real-time three-dimensional ultrasound (RT3D) overcomes these limitations. Since RT3D acquires volumes, the operator dependence for obtaining standard views is eliminated and analysis is not limited to just cross-sectional information.. Using semi-automated segmentation, endocardial left ventricular surfaces from six canines were traced from RT3D images and run though a wall motion calculation. The motion of the surface through one cardiac cycle was color-coded and displayed in a motion map. Comparisons of motion maps from normal and infarcted canine left ventricles suggest that this motion map analysis could be a useful tool for detecting cardiac wall motion abnormalities.