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Harmonic imaging improves estimation of left ventricular mass

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Abstract

Objectives: To assess the effect of tissue harmonic imaging (THI) on assessment of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) measurements by M-mode trans-thoracic echocardiography, when compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: 20 hypertensive male subjects were studied. LVMI was measured in all subjects by both gradient-echo MRI (Lscelsint Prestige 1.9 T) and by transthoracic echocardiography (ATL HDI 5000). M-mode echocardiography recordings were taken for each patient, two with fundamental imaging (FI) and two using THI in a randomised order and the images unlabelled. Recordings were analysed off-line, by a blinded observer. LVMI by MRI was calculated using Simpson's rule on serial short axis slices of 8 mm thickness. Data are expressed as mean ± SD. Results: There was a difference in LVMI measurements between FI and THI (LVMI) (79 ± 20 vs. 93 ± 25 g2; p < 0.001). A lower mean difference was obtained by THI, compared to FI, when compared with MRI (2 ± 15 vs. −32 ± 22 g2; p < 0.001) suggesting that FI underestimates LVMI. Inter-observer variability was similar between THI and FI (4.5 ± 15 vs. 6.4 ± 15 g2; p = 0.46). Conclusion: In hypertensive males, M-mode echo derived from FI underestimated LVMI. These results imply that widely accepted reference ranges for LVMI using FI are not applicable when THI is used.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Western General Hospital, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK

    James C.S. Spratt, Stephen J. Leslie, Audrey White, Lynn Fenn & David B. Northridge

  2. Department of Radiology, Western General Hospital, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK

    Colin Turnbull

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  1. James C.S. Spratt
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  2. Stephen J. Leslie
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  3. Audrey White
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  4. Lynn Fenn
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  5. Colin Turnbull
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  6. David B. Northridge
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Spratt, J.C., Leslie, S.J., White, A. et al. Harmonic imaging improves estimation of left ventricular mass. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 20, 107–111 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CAIM.0000014047.59389.1f

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