Exploratory Development Of Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography On Diagnosing Endocardial Cushion Defect

Objective To discuss the application of real-time three dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) diagnosis endocardial cushion defect (ECD) on atrioventricular septal defect . Methods A set of 32 patients with endocardial cushion defect who underwent two echocardiographic tests, both the conventional two- dimensional echocardiographic(2DE) and RT-3DE was studied. Three dimensional picture of atrial septum and interventricular septum were cut manipulately. Atrial septum , interventricular septum, structure of atrio-rentriculor valve and blood flow were compared with the results of surgical operation .Results Among 32 patients with endocardial cushion defect, 20 patients is holo-type ECD and 12 patientswith partial-type ECD. All of the patients had get satisfactional pictures using RT-3DE. RT-3DE is more direct, overall and accurate in viewing stereoscopical structure of atrial septum and interventricular septum, growth of atrioventricular septal, and signals of blood flow than those of conventional 2DE through revolving and cutting image manipulately. Conventional 2DE misdiagnosised 4 cases in typing of ECD and failed to diagnosis 10 cases with cleft of the septal leaflet of mitral valve before the operation. RT-3DE could accurately diagnosis type of ECD in all of the patients with 100% coincidence before the operation. Conclusions RT-3DE is more direct and accurate in than those of conventional 2DE in displaying and diagnosing the structure of atrioventricular septal, growth of atrioventricular septal and information of blood flow. RT-3DE provide a new visual angle in observing cardiac structure and is an useful tool for diagnosing heart disease, which is helpful for ECD in diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of prognosis.