Three-dimensional echocardiography paves the way toward virtual reality

The heart is a three-dimensional (3-D) object and, with the help of 3-D ech ocardiography (3-DE), it can be shown in a realistic fashion. This capabili ty decreases variability in the interpretation of complex pathology among i nvestigators, Therefore, it is likely that the method will become the stand ard echocardiography examination in the future. The availability of volumet ric data sets allows retrieval of an infinite number of cardiac cross-secti ons. This results in more accurate and reproducible measurements of valve a reas, cardiac mass and cavity volumes by obviating geometric assumptions. T ypical 3-DE parameters, such as ejection fraction, flow jets, myocardial pe rfusion and LV wall curvature, may become important diagnostic parameters b ased on 3-DE. However, the freedom of an infinite number of cross-sections of the heart can result in an often-encountered problem of being "lost in s pace" when an observer works on a 3-DE image data set. Virtual reality comp uting techniques in the form of a virtual heart model can be useful by prov iding spatial "cardiac" information, With the recent introduction of relati vely low cost portable echo devices, it is envisaged that use of diagnostic ultrasound (US) will be further boosted. This, in turn, will require furth er teaching facilities. Coupling of a cardiac model with true 3-D echo data in a virtual reality setting may be the answer. (C) 2000 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.