English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Echocardiography is considered as a traditional approach to clinically study dilated cardiomyopathy. Because of poor apical visibility, however, volumetric calculations are difficult to ascertain. In calculating left ventricle volumes and ejection fractions, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has shown to be more accurate than echocardiography. Due to conflicting literature, the present study was conducted to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy using 2 D - echocardiography and correlate these echocardiographic findings with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Radio-diagnosis and Imaging, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical sciences, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, Pin 515134. The study group consisted of consecutive patients who had clinical suspicion of dilated cardiomyopathy. A total of 40 patients underwent both 2 D - echo and cardiac MRI on the same day. All patients underwent 2 - D echo which was performed at the frame rate of 40 - 80 frames per second in the left lateral decubitus position to obtain standard 2, 3, and 4 chambers as well as short axis views (GE Vingmed Vivid 7 Dimensions, Horton, Norway: 2.5 MHz transducer). MRI was performed on a 1.5 T scanner (Mangnetom Aera, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). For patient monitoring and cardiac synchronization, 3 - lead electrocardiography was used. RESULTS In the present study, in comparison to reference standard (cardiac MRI), 2 D - echocardiography showed significant and systematic underestimation of enddiastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and stroke volume (SV). Good correlation between 2 D - echo and cardiac MRI was noted for end-diastolic volume (r = 0.89), stroke volume (r = 0.60) and ejection fraction (r = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS In summary, magnetic resonance imaging is an accurate, non-invasive, safe and advanced modality for evaluation of global left ventricular function and myocardial scarring. 2 D - echocardiography can be used for screening of the patients with clinically suspected dilated cardiac myopathy (DCM) and their follow up. KEYWORDS Echocardiography, MRI, Cardiomyopathy