Assessment of left ventricular volume and functions by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in patients with compensated and decompensated heart failure

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate congestive heart failure (HF) patients with real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) to investigate why some of them present with acute decompensation despite having two-dimensional echocardiographic (2DE) parameters with compensated HF patients.

Study design:The study population consisted of 36 patients with decompensated HF (24 males, 12 females; mean age 65.8 10.4 years) and 30 patients with compensated HF (21 males, 9 females; mean age 63.2 +/- 11.5 years).The levels of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP), serum electrolytes, renal function tests and complete blood counts were determined. All patients underwent 2DE and 3DE evaluations.

Results: Heart rate and blood urea nitrogen levels were higher in patients with decompensated HF than those with compensated HF (95.8 +/- 21.4 vs, 81.2 +/- 14.9, p=0.002; 28.3 +/- 15.7 mg/di vs. 18 +/- 6.8 mg/di, p=0.001, respectively). Pro-BNP levels and NYHA class were significantly higher in patients with decompensated heart failure [4925 pg/ml (2199-8711) vs. 330 pg/ml (197-756), p<0.0001 and 2.3 +/- 0.6 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.4, p<0.0001, respectively]. Although 2DE parameters were similar between groups, left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in patients with decompensated HF while end-diastolic and end -systolic volumes by 3DE were significantly higher in the same group (26.3 +/- 3.8% vs, 30.3 +/- 4.0%; 205.6 +/- 55.5 ml vs. 145.0 +/- 33.7 ml; 178.4 +/- 55.6 ml vs. 115.7 +/- 32.5 ml, all p<0.0001, respectively). However, systolic volume was higher in patients with compensated HF (52.0 +/- 15.5 ml vs. 62 +/- 12 ml, p=0.005).

Conclusion: We think that 3DE provides more reliable information about left ventricular volume and functions in the evaluation of patients with HF.