Real Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Regional Systolic Function and Dyssynchrony in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

To evaluate left ventricular (LV) regional systolic function and dyssynchrony in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE). The study population comprised 30 normal controls (NOR) and 44 patients with DCM. We divided the left ventricle into apical, middle, and basal regions. We calculated the LV regional end-diastolic volume ((R)EDV), regional end-systolic volume ((R)ESV), regional ejection fraction ((R)EF), and standard deviation in the time to minimal systolic volume in each level segment (Tmsv-SD) of the three regions by RT-3DE. Compared with NOR, the (R)EDV, (R)ESV, and Tmsv-SD of DCM were significantly higher, whereas the (R)EF was lower (P < 0.01). In DCM, the Tmsv-SD increased smoothly from base to apex, and the (R)EF gradually decreased from base to apex (P < 0. 05). Linear correlation was observed between the Tmsv-SD of the middle region and 3D-EF in DCM (r =-0. 6829, P < 0.01). RT-3DE provides a simple and feasible approach to quantify LV regional systolic function and dyssynchrony.