Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in evaluation on right ventricular systolic function in patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy

Objective: To evaluate the right ventricular systolic function in patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) by using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE). Methods: Totally 30 patients with ACM (ACM group) and 30 normal subjects (control group) underwent conventional echocardiography and RT-3DE, respectively. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), right ventricular end-diastolic area (RVEDA) and end-systolic area (RVESA) were measured with echocardiography, and the right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) was then calculated. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) was measured by using M-mode echocardiography. Right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), end-systolic volume (RVESV), stroke volume (RVSV) and ejection fraction (RVEF) were measured with RT-3DE. The above parameters were compared between ACM and control group, and the correlations of RVFAC, TAPSE and RVEF were analyzed. Results: In conventional echocardiography, RVEDA and RVESA were higher, LVEF, RVFAC and TAPSE were lower in ACM group than those in control group (all P<0.05). In RT-3DE, RVEDV and RVESV were higher and RVEF was lower in ACM group than those in control group (all P<0.05), whereas there was no significant difference of RVSV between two groups (P>0.05). RVFAC and TAPSE were both positively correlated with RVEF (r=0.610, 0.822, both P<0.05). Conclusion: RT-3DE can be used to assess the right ventricular systolic function accurately, which is valuable on clinical application. Copyright © 2013 by the Press of Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology.