Real time tridimensional echocardiography in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

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Real time tridimensional echocardiography in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Marcelo Luiz Campos Vieira^I; Prasad Maddukuri^II; Natesa G. Pandian^II; Wilson Mathias Jr.^I; José A. F. Ramires^I

^IInstituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas – FMUSP and

^IITufts University – New England Medical Center - São Paulo, SP, Brazil - Boston, MA, USA

^{Mailing Address}

Real time tridimensional echocardiography (3D echo) allows cardiac structural visualization based on the combination of multiple observation planes, thus providing new morphological and functional information ^1,2. The case of the 32-year old, male patient, diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is here described. The bidimensional echocardiography analysis (2D echo) showed hypertrophy at medium and basal segments of interventricular septum (16 mm) and the observation of pacemaker electrode in right chambers (Figure 1). Left atrium measurement (anteroposterior plane) showed a 3.2 cm diameter (normal value < 4 cm). The real time echocardiographic tridimensional analysis confirmed 2D echo findings (Figures 2A, 2B), and added information regarding left atrial anatomy, showing atrial enlargement in its elevation plane (depth plane), with left atrial volume of 85 mL (reference value in normal volunteers: 42 + 17 (18-79 ) mL. The 3D echo added structural information to this hypertrophic cardiomyopathy case. In the future, cavity measures may be provided in regard to volume rather than being associated to measures of one single observation plane.

This study was supported by CAPES, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.

REFERENCES

1. Ahmad M. Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in assessment of heart disease. Echocardiography 2001; 18(1): 73-7.

2. Kisslo J, Firek B, Takahiro O, Kang DH, Fleishman CE, Stetten G et al. Real-time volumetric echocardiography: the technology and the possibilities. Echocardiography 2000; 17: 773-9.

Received on 10/09/05

Accepted on 10/17/05

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  25 Apr 2006
• Date of issue
  Apr 2006