Rapid and accurate measurement of LV mass by biplane real-time 3D echocardiography in patients with concentric LV hypertrophy: comparison to CMR

Aims To evaluate the accuracy of real-time three-dimensional echocardiograohy (RT3DE) using a biplane and multiplane method in determining left ventricular (W) mass compared to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Methods and results LV mass was measured in 18 adult patients with congenital aortic stenosis using CMR and. echocardiography (M-mode, two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), and RT3DE). RT3DE data were analysed using a biplane and multiplane method. No geometric assumptions were necessary using the multiptane RT3DE method. With regard to biplane or multiplane RT3DE, no tendency of over- or underestimation of LV mass was observed. Pearson's correlation coefficients for RT3DE versus CMR were 0.84 and 0.90 for the biplane and multiplane method, respectively. In addition, the accuracy of both RT3DE methods were comparable (Fisher's R-to-Z transformation: Z = 0.69, P = NS). Finally, off-line analysis using biplane RT3DE was significantly faster than multipiane RT3DE (3.8 +/- 1.2 vs. 7.8 +/- 1.7 minutes, P < 0.001). Conclusions Biplane RT3DE provided an accurate estimate of LV mass in patients with concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, which was not improved by multiplane RT3DE. The accuracy and speed of analysis renders biplane RT3DE an attractive tool. in daily clinical practice for assessing the degree of LV hypertrophy.