| Popis: |
Background: Left ventricular volumes (LVVs) and ejection fraction (LVEF) are key elements for the evaluation and follow-up of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Therefore, a feasible and reproducible imaging method to be used by both experienced and in-training echocardiographers is mandatory. Aims: To establish if, in a large echo lab, echocardiographers in-training provide feasible and more reproducible results for the evaluation of patients with HFrEF, when using three-dimensional (3DE) vs. two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). Methods: 60 patients with HFrEF (46 males, age 58±17) underwent standard transthoracic 2D acquisitions and 3D multi-beat full-volumes of the LV. One expert-user in echocardiography (Expert), and 3 echocardiographers with different levels of training in 2DE (Beginner, Medium, and Advanced) measured the 2D LVVs and LVEFs on the same consecutive images of patients with HFrEF. Afterward, the Expert performed a one-month training in 3DE analysis of the users, and both the Expert and trainees measured the 3D LVVs and LVEF of the same patients. Measurements provided by the Expert and all trainees in echo where compared.Results: 6 patients were excluded from the study due to a poor image quality. Mean end-diastolic LVV of the remaining 54 patients was 214±75 ml with 2DE, and 233±77 ml with 3DE. Mean LVEF was 35±10% with 2DE, and 33±10% with 3DE.When compared with the Expert user, the trainees showed acceptable reproducibility of the 2DE measurements, according to their level of expertise in 2DE (ICCs ranging from 0.75 to 0.94). However, after the short training in 3DE, they provided feasible and more reproducible measurements of the 3D LVVs and LVEF than with 2DE (ICCs ranging from 0.89 to 0.97).Conclusions: 3DE is a feasible, fast-learning, and more reproducible method for the assessment of LVVs and LVEF than 2DE, regardless of the basic level of expertise in 2DE of the trainees in echocardiography. In echo labs with a wide range of experience of the staff, 3DE might be a more accurate method for the follow-up of patients with HFrEF. |
