Value of assessment of tricuspid annulus: real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging

Aim To detect the accuracy of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) for tricuspid annulus (TA) assessment compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Thirty patients (mean age 34 +/- 13 years, 60% males) in sinus rhythm were examined by MRI, RT3DE, and 2DE for TA assessment. End-diastolic and end-systolic TA diameter (TAD) and TA fractional shortening (TAFS) were measured by RT3DE, 2DE, and MRI. End-diastolic and end-systolic TA area (TAA) and TA fractional area changes (TAFAC) were measured by RT3DE and MRI. End-diastolic and end-systolic right ventricular (RV) volumes and ejection fraction (RV-EF) were measured by MRI. Results The TA was clearly delineated in all patients and visualized as an oval-shaped by RT3DE and MRI. There was a good correlation between TAD(MRI) and TAD(3D) (r = 0.75, P = 0.001), while TAD(2D) was fairly correlated with TAD(3D) and TAD(MRI) (r = 0.5, P = 0.01 for both). There were no significant differences between RT3DE and MRI in TAD, TAA, TAFS, and TAFAC measurements, while TAD(2D) and TAFS(2D) were significantly underestimated (P < 0.001). TAFS(2D) was not correlated with RV-EF, while TAFS(3D) and TAFAC(3D) were fairly correlated with RV-EF (r = 0.49, P = 0.01, and r = 0.47, P = 0.02 respectively). Conclusion RT3DE helps in accurate assessment of TA comparable to MRI and may have an important implication in the TV surgical decision-making processes. RT3DE analysis of TA function could be used as a marker of RV function.