3-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY OF THE THORACIC AORTA

Objectives The feasibility and diagnostic potential of three-dimension al echocardiography, using transoesophageal multiplane echocardiograph y for the assessment of thoracic aortic pathology. las not been evalua ted. Methods We studied 21 patients (10 women, 11 men) mean age 52 . 1 years (range 20-78). Images for three-dimensional reconstruction were acquired during a diagnostic multiplane transoesophageal echocardiogr aphic examination. In all, 30 acquisitions were performed: 19 of the a scending aorta and 11 of the arch and descending aorta. Three-dimensio nal reconstruction was performed to visualize normal aortic segments i n three patients with a normal thoracic aorta, postoperative anatomy i n seven, chronic aortic dissection in two, non-dissecting aneurysm in seven (three patients had coexisting thrombi) and protruding aortic at heroma in two. Results Three-dimensional image quality was scored exce llent in 17 acquisitions (57%), adequate in 10 (33%) and inadequate in three (10%). Anyplane two-dimensional views of regions of interest of the aorta were reconstructed off-line from the data sets, which provi ded improved analysis with potential for quantitation. Advanced comput er-assisted imaging modalities (electronic vivisection lumen cast disp lay, detail extraction) were feasible. Conclusions We conclude that th ree-dimensional echocardiography of the thoracic aorta is feasible. Ad equate image quality is obtained in the vast majority of patients, whi ch adds additional qualitative and quantitative information to routine multiplane transoesophageal echocardiographic studies.