Learn About The Top Advancements In Echocardiography

Advancements in computing capabilities and transducer technologies over the past few decades have allowed the development of three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE), which offers significant additional information compared to the traditional methods. Although the majority of departmental studies have remained limited to 2D, the introduction of the 3DE as a complementary tool in modern clinical institutions has the potential to increase clinical importance.


Although cardiologists have a variety of imaging modalities at their disposal, the use of 3D echocardiography can prove to be the optimum choice for investigating cardiovascular structure and function. The majority of echocardiographic studies are performed to investigate the least ventricular chamber dimensions and LV ejection fraction (LVEF). To calculate volume, geometric modelling of chamber shape must be performed and consequently, LVEF estimation from 2DE is subject to bias and error in the presence of pathology. 


Adult 3D echocardiography offers several important advantages. It measures the third dimension, doesn’t rely on plane positioning and does not require geometric modelling or assumptions about the shape of the chamber. Through direct volume measurements, this process is more accurate and reliable. 


Similarly, investigating the right ventricular volumes by 2DE requires geometric modelling, which can be challenging due to the crescentic shape of the right ventricle. 3DE proves to be superior to 2DE for this purpose but may underestimate volumes when compared to CMR. A major advantage that 3D echocardiography offers is an improvement in the visualization of cardiac structures and pathology. Surgical perpendicular views of valves can be obtained that aid interventions and assessment of procedural success. 


The benefit of high anatomical definition while examining a heart specimen is advantageous in many cardiac conditions but is especially apparent in the management of complex structural heart diseases like congenital and valvular defects. A study in single pediatrics cardiology found that reconstructed 3D echocardiography in Mississauga was particularly useful in evaluating four subgroups of congenital heart diseases:

  • Ventricular septal defects in complex anomalies

  • Extracardiac structures

  • Complex defects with unusual spatial relationships

  • Atrioventricular valve anomalies 

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