Three-dimensional echocardiographic reconstruction of mitral valve color Doppler flow events

In vitro studies have suggested superior accuracy of 3-dimensional echocard iography over conventional methods for the characterization and quantitatio n of color Doppler flow events. Little in vivo work has been reported in th is area; this study demonstrates the feasibility of 3-dimensional reconstru ction of mitral valve flow events in an unselected group of adult patients and discusses optimal instrument settings for the acquisition of 3-dimensio nal datasets.