2007 Volume 5 Issue 1 Pages 32-37
Background. Three-dimensional (3D) quantitative assessment of mitral apparatus geometry has been required to evaluate its unique and complicated morphology. Recently, we have developed a novel software, REAL VIEW®, which allows us 3D visualization and quantitation of mitral leaflets and annulus geometry by using transthoracic real-time 3D echocardiography. In the present study, we sought to investigate the accuracy of 3D measurement using REAL VIEW.
Methods. Our in vitro study was carried out with annuloplasty rings (Carpentier-Edwards Physio ring®) and a phantom rubber model with a conical shape in a water bath. By using real-time 3D echocardiographic data, 3D images of the phantom models were reconstructed by utilizing REAL VIEW. Ring diameters, circumferences and volume of the model were calculated from the 3D datasets.
Results. Ring diameters and circumferences measured by REAL VIEW showed good agreements with known size of the annuloplasty rings (y=0.97x+1.21, r=0.99, y=1.01x+0.55, r=0.98). Volume of the phantom model measured by REAL VIEW showed good agreement with the actual volume of the conic balloon (y=1.00x-0.16, r=0.99).
Conclusions. We could measure the annuloplasty ring size and phantom model volume precisely by using REAL VIEW. This software should be useful in various investigations of mitral valve diseases.
