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Background Cardiac masses represent a major diagnostic challenge given the difficulty in assessing their nature through imaging examinations. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is a noninvasive key diagnostic tool that can provide important anatomical, functional, and tissue characteristic information. Objectives of the study analyze the clinical and CMR features of patients with benign and malignant tumors and thrombus; asses the accuracy of CMR in comparison with the histologic examination; evaluate the prognostic rule of clinical and CMR features in predicting the primary endpoint of all cause mortality. Methods 92 Patients undergoing CMR for suspected cardiac masses between June 2004 and January 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with no mass 8 (9%) or pseudomass 11 (12%) were excluded. Clinical, CMR and histological data were collected. Results 73 patients with masses were finally enrolled, 27 (37%) with a diagnosis at CMR of benign tumor, 22 (30%) with malignant tumor, and 24 (33%) with thrombus. Among clinical variables the history of malignancy and smoking were seen in patients with malignant tumors (p>0,02). Among CMR features high size, infiltration, pericardial repeats, pericardial effusion, signal inhomogeneity, First Pass Perfusion and Late Gadolinium Enhancement were associated with malignant masses (p Conclusions although CMR has high diagnostic accuracy, histologic examination remains the diagnostic gold standard in determining the type of cardiac mass. In addition to playing a key role in the diagnostic process, CMR is useful in predicting the outcome of patients with cardiac masses.

Background Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the first cardiac imaging modality generally requested for diagnosis of suspected infective endocarditis (IE), while transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) can be performed as initial or supplemental test. Although IE is a relatively rare disease characterized by high mortality, the number of daily in-hospital TTE and TEE requests to diagnose this disease is high, probably because of inappropriate prescriptions. Objective The principal aim of this study was to assess the clinical appropriateness of TTE and TEE requests for suspected IE. Methods Electronical data relative to TTE and TEE examinations performed for suspected IE between September 2013 and July 2022 at our center were extracted and retrospectively analyzed. All TTE and TEE requests were defined as appropriate according to the criteria indicated by the 2017 international guidelines on appropriateness for cardiac imaging in valvular heart disease. Results After exclusion of repeated ultrasound examinations, a total of 2249 first requests of echocardiographic examinations for suspected IE were analyzed (patients’ age 64±18 years, 61% males). TEE examinations were 447 (20%). Diagnosis of IE was made in 293/2249 (13%) cases. During the 10-year observation period, 33.1% of the TTE requests was appropriate and 12.2% of the appropriate examinations was positive for IE. Percentages of prescriptive appropriateness and diagnostic TTEs did not change significantly before and after publication of the 2017 international guidelines: in fact, appropriate TTE requests were 31.6% before and 35.3% after (P=0.579), and positive TTEs were 12.1% before and 12.4% after (P=0.948). Regarding TEEs, during the 10-year observation period 51.2% of the 447 examinations was appropriate and 35.8% of these evaluations was positive for IE. As for TTE, percentages did not vary significantly before and after publication of the 2017 international guidelines: appropriate TEE requests were 52.2% before and 50% after (P=0.756), and positive TEEs were 35.9% before and 35.6% after (P=0.965). Conclusions The majority of echocardiography requests for diagnosis of IE at our center during a 10-year observation period was inappropriate, especially TTE requests. No significant impact of the 2017 international guidelines on appropriateness for cardiac imaging in valvular heart disease was observed. A corrective strategy could be based on several actions: periodic monitoring of prescriptive appropriateness, dissemination of knowledge about published guidelines and development of in-hospital operative protocols shared among all physicians involved in TTE and TEE prescription.

Aims Right ventricular systolic dysfunction is considered an outcome predictor in various cardiac diseases, sometimes stronger than ejection fraction (EF). We assume that right ventricular dysfunction, calculated with echocardiography in patients candidate for trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), could be an outcome predictor. To evaluate the prognostic value of pre-TAVI right ventricular free wall longitudinal strain (RVFWSL) in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI. Methods and results Retrospective analysis of 100 patients underwent transfemoral TAVI in our hospital from January 2015 to September 2019, with at least a pre-TAVI and post-TAVI echocardiography. For each patients we collected clinical and echo data before and after TAVI and during the follow-up; we measured RVFWSL off-line at the same time. We considered the value of [23.3]% the cut-off of normality for RVFWSL. The primary endpoint was a composite of death from any cause and hospitalization for heart failure. The median age of the patients was 81 years (79–83) and EF was preserved in most patients (median: 56%, 55–58.28%). At a median follow-up of 1023 days (630–1387), the univariate analysis demonstrated a predictive of a reduced RVFWSL before TAVI ( Conclusions Among patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI, a reduced pre-implant RVFWSL is able to predict long-term outcome.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Left ventricular thrombosis (LVT) is a possible complication following myocardial infarction (MI). Besides infarct size, risk factors for LVT include ST-elevated MI (STEMI), anterior and apical location, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the presence of microvascular obstruction. Echocardiography quantified myocardial strain has been associated with LVT following MI. Recently, global longitudinal strain, calculated with feature tracking (FT) - CMR, emerged as an independent predictor of major cardiovascular events following MI. Anyway, the relationship between abnormalities on FT-CMR and LVT following MI is still unexplored. Aim of our study is to investigate the possible association between abnormal strain on FT-CMR and LVT following apical STEMI. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis including all patients with a previous apical STEMI, who underwent CMR at our Institute between August 2013 and October 2020. Patients with ongoing anticoagulant therapy were excluded. Differences in global and segmental strain on CMR between patients with and without LVT were tested in a propensity-matched sample, using LVEF, age, gender, time from MI diagnosis and number of LV segments with transmural late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) as covariates to assign propensity score. Furthermore, difference in terms of apical to global radial strain percentual deviation (AGD), calculated as [(Global Radial Strain – Apical Radial Strain)/Global Radial Strain] * 100, was tested. Results Of 356 patients with apical STEMI undergoing CMR at our center, 37 (10.4%) were diagnosed with LVT. After performing a propensity score matching, we obtained a sample of 36 pairs, with a mean age of 65 (SD 11) years, and a median EF of 35% (IQR 27-42); 59 (82%) of them were male. A significant difference in terms of apical radial strain was found between the two groups, with a median strain of 10.75 (IQR 6.8–16.5) in patients without LVT compared to a value of 5.25 (IQR 2.7–9-6) in patients with LVT (p = 0.007). No differences were found in terms of global longitudinal, radial and circumferential strain (p = 0.19, p= 0.2 and p= 0.49 respectively) and segmental circumferential and longitudinal strain. When considering the AGD parameter, a significant difference was found between the two groups, with a median deviation of 12% (IQR -20; +48) in patients without LVT and 51% (IQR +47; +75) in patients with LVT (p= 0.0003). Furthermore, an AGD value of 26% was found to be the most accurate in terms of sensitivity and specificity applying a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (AUC 0.74; CI 0.62-0.85). Conclusions Among patients with transmural MI involving LV apex, reduced apical radial strain on FT-CMR is associated with the presence of LV thrombosis. Furthermore, among patients developing LV thrombi, a greater apical radial strain deviation from the global one was found, with a threshold value of 26% at ROC curve analysis.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. BACKGROUND. Stress echocardiography (SE) is widely used for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) function, diagnostic and prognostic stratification of patients with coronary artery disease and for assessment of mitral and aortic valve disease. However, the assessment of the right ventricle (RV) in general, and in particular in regard to the contractile reserve of the RV in patients with tricuspid valve (TV) disease is an area that has not been previously explored in adult patients. The physiology and function of the RV is different than that of the LV and the use of SE provides the possibility to test both systolic and diastolic function of the RV in response to increased loading conditions. This can potentially be used to assess the RV function prior to surgery and to predict which subset of patients may benefit from intervention on the TV before the RV displays signs of failure PURPOSE. We therefore propose a study to investigate the potential use of SE for the assessment of RV function in adult patients. The aim is to evaluate the feasibility of RV SE in any patients with more than trivial tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and to assess the presence and degree of RV contractile reserve. METHODS. We enrolled 81 patients undergoing a phisical or dobutamine SE for CV risk stratification or chest pain. Inclusion criteria were age≥ 18 years, normal baseline RV function (FAC> 35%, TAPSE> 16 mm). Exclusion criteria were presence of RV dysfunction, pulmonary stress hypertension, positive stress test for left myocardial ischemia, presence of moderate or severe valvular disease, grade III or higher diastolic dysfunction at baseline, severe respiratory, renal or hepatic dysfunction. We evaluated the average values of TAPSE, fractional area change (FAC), S wave, sPAP (pulmonary systolic blood pressure), RV strain during baseline and at the peak of the effort. We also assessed the reproducibility of these measurement between two different expert operators (blind analysis). RESULTS. We were able to measure the RV parameters both during baseline and at the peak of the effort in all patients, demonstrating an excellent feasibility. Differences in parameters collected at baseline and at peak were assessed using paired Wilcoxon signed rank test. All variables showed a statistical significant increase (p CONCLUSIONS. RV SE proved to be feasible and showed little inter-operator variability in patients with at least trivial TR. It provided valuable informations about RV contractile reserve that may help stratifying the risk of RV failure in patients undergoing TV surgery. Abstract Figure

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a pathological outcome of chronic and acute interstitial lung diseases associated to compromised wound healing, is a key component of the “post-acute COVID-19 syndrome” that may severely complicate patients’ clinical course. Although inconclusive, available data suggest that more than a third of hospitalized COVID-19 patients develop lung fibrotic abnormalities after their discharge from hospital. The pathogenesis of PF in patients recovering from a severe acute case of COVID-19 is complex, and several hypotheses have been formulated to explain its development. An analysis of the data that is presently available suggests that biomarkers of susceptibility could help to identify subjects with increased probability of developing PF and may represent a means to personalize the management of COVID-19’s long-term effects. Our review highlights the importance of both patient-related and disease-related contributing risk factors for PF in COVID-19 survivors and makes it definitely clear the possible use of acute phase and follow-up biomarkers for identifying the patients at greatest risk of developing this disease.

Background Right ventricle (RV), tricuspid anulus (TA) and right atrium (RA) dilatation, are listed among the supportive signs to grade severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) according to current EACVI and ESC guidelines. However, at present, there is no cut-off value to define RV, RA and TA dilatation associated to severe TR. Purpose Accordingly, we sought to identify the threshold values of RV, RA and TA size associated to severe TR. Methods 302 patients (59 ± 13 years, 54 % women) with functional TR underwent three- (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography to obtain: 3D RV end diastolic volume (RVEDVi) indexed for body surface area (BSA), 3D RV end systolic volume indexed for BSA (RVESVi), 3D RA max volume indexed for BSA (3DRAi), 2D RA systolic volume indexed for BSA (3DRAi), 2D RV basal diameter (2DRVd), 2D RV basal diameter indexed for BSA (2DRVdi), 2D TA measured in the apical 4-chamber view and 2D TA measured in the apical 4-chamber view indexed for BSA. To identify the threshold values of the parameters that discriminate patients with right chamber enlargement associated to severe TR, we selected the probability which returns the best sum of sensitivity and specificity on the ROC curve of the model. Results According to EACVI multiparametric approach, 50/302 pts (17%) were found to have severe TR. As shown in Figure, 3DRAi > 45 ml/m2 and 2DRAi > 45 ml/m2 identified patients with RA enlargement associated to severe TR. RVEDVi and RVESVi did not show any predictive value for severe TR. Conversely, 2DRVd > 52 mm (or >30 mm/m2) was associated to severe TR. 2DTA > 42 mm ( or >24 mm/m2) was the selected threshold value for TA dilatation. Conclusions Our study provided the threshold values to define the right chamber and TA dilatation associated to severe TR. Implementation of those values in current guidelines can help clinicians to improve their accuracy to identify patients with severe TR. Abstract 47 Figure.

Background The right atrium (RA) is a highly dynamic chamber with 3 mechanical functions (reservoir, conduit, booster pump) and prognostic implications in heart failure (HF) and pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, RA function and its interplay with the right ventricular (RV) performance in patients (pts) with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and without PH remain to be clarified. Methods We used three-dimensional echocardiography to study 55 pts (61 ± 14 years, 43 men) with LVEF Results Mean LVEF was 30 ± 7%. Mean echo-derived pulmonary vascular resistance was 1.64 ± 0.54 Wood units. 28 pts (51%) had reduced RA reservoir function (total EF = 34 ± 9%), 34 pts (62%) had reduced RA conduit function (passive EF = 15 ± 4%), and 10 pts (18%) had reduced RA pump function (active EF = 11 ± 3%). Pts with reduced RA reservoir function showed larger RV end-systolic volume (RVESV 124 ± 48ml vs. 90 ± 32ml; p = 0.004) and lower RVEF (38 ± 8% vs. 46 ± 6%; p RVESV was positively correlated with total (r2 = 0.47, p Conclusions RA dysfunction is not uncommon in pts with reduced LVEF, even in the absence of PH. In these pts, RA function is associated with significant changes in RV function. The RA acts as a dynamic modulator of RV pump function by redistributing RV filling and ejection force among reservoir, conduit and pump functions in the setting of altered hemodynamics. The clinical and prognostic significance of RA function in pts with reduced LVEF warrant further studies.

Background According to current EACVI guidelines, right ventricle (RV), tricuspid anulus (TA) and right atrium (RA) dilatation are supportive signs to identify severe functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) by echocardiography. However, the ranking by which those parameters should be considered to identify severe TR remains to be clarified. Purpose Accordingly, the aim of this study is to compare RV, RA and TA association with severe TR and to rank them in order of importance to predict severe TR. Methods 302 patients (59 ± 13 years, 54 % women) with functional TR underwent two- and three-dimensional echocardiography. Using the nonparameteric Variable Importance (VIMP) software package, we assessed the relative importance of 6 differerent parameters (indexed by body surface area) to identify severe TR: 3D RV end diastolic volume (RVEDVi), 3D RV end systolic volume (RVESVi), 3D RA max volume (3DRAi), 2D RA systolic volume (3DRAi), 2D RV basal diameter (2DRVdi) and 2D TAi measured in the apical 4-chamber view. Results According to EACVI multiparametric approach, 50/302 pts (17%) were found to have severe TR. 3DRAi (VIMP = 0.075) was the most important predictor of severe TR. 2DRVdi (VIMP= 0.005) was the second most important parameter and was the only parameter of RV dilation (RVEDVi= -0.0011 and RVESVi= -0.0012) associated to severe TR. Also, 2DRAi (VIMP= 0.023), and 2D TAi (VIMP= 0.004) showed good predictive ability. Conclusions Among the various right heart structures undergoing remodeling in patients with functional TR, RA dilation was the most important predictor of severe TR. Also the RV basal diameter, but not the volumes, was a predictor of severe TR. This underlines the importance of the shape, more than the volume of the RV as a predictor of severe TR.

Background Morbidity and mortality associated with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) have prompted interest in new corrective transcatheter procedures. However, to properly select patients for interventional procedures, and to assess their effectiveness, a reliable and reproducible grading system of TR severity is mandatory. However, the cut-off values used by current guidelines to differentiate among mild, moderate and severe TR lack clinical validation. Purpose We aimed to obtain the threshold values of the currently recommended quantitative echocardiographic parameters used to grade TR severity using pts’ outcome as a reference. Methods 296 pts, with at least mild TR and complete 2D, 3D and Doppler echocardiographic study, were enrolled and assessed for potential confounders: age, NYHA class, left ventricular ejection fraction, coexistent valvular heart disease and right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure. Average diameter of the vena contracta (VCavg), effective regurgitant orifice area (EROA), regurgitant volume (RVol) and regurgitant fraction (RF) were obtained to grade TR severity. Median follow-up was 47 (17-80) months. The primary composite endpoint was the occurrence of death of any cause or hospitalization for right heart failure (RHF). Survival curves for the composite endpoint were divided in quartiles at median follow-up. Cut-off values for the echo parameters were derived to grade mild (below the 1st quartile), moderate (between 1st and 3rd quartiles), and severe (above the 3r quartile) TR. Results 33 deaths and 72 hospitalizations for RHF occurred. Event-free rate from death or RHF at the end of follow-up was 14%, 46% and 93% in pts with severe, moderate, and mild TR, respectively. Differences reached statistical significance early (at 1 month), and lasted during the whole follow-up period (Figure). The new threshold values for mild, moderate and severe TR are summarized in Table. Conclusions Partition values of quantitative echo-Doppler parameters used to grade mild, moderate and severe TR according to pts’ clinical outcome are significantly lower than those currently reported in guidelines. Further studies are needed to test if these new threshold values for severe TR will translate in earlier referral of pts to valve repair and improved prognosis. Mild Moderate Severe VCavg 6 mm EROA 0.30 cm² R Vol 30 ml RF 45% Abstract 38 Figure.

Objectives The aim of the study was to confirm the value of the VALID‐cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) risk score in predicting outcome and to assess its association with clinical response (CR) in an unselected real‐world CRT population. Methods and Results The present analysis comprised all consecutive CRT patients (pts) enrolled in the CRT‐MORE registry from 2011 to 2013. Pts were stratified into five groups (quintiles 1‐5) according to the VALID‐CRT risk predictor index applied to the CRT‐MORE population. In the analysis of clinical outcome, adverse events comprised death from any cause and non‐fatal heart failure (HF) events requiring hospitalization. CR at 12‐month follow‐up was also assessed. We enrolled 905 pts. During a median follow‐up of 1005 [627‐1361] days, 134 patients died, and 79 had at least one HF hospitalization. At 12 months, 69% of pts displayed an improvement in their CR. The mean VALID‐CRT risk score derived from the CRT‐MOdular Registry (MORE) population was 0.317, ranging from −0.419 in Q1 to 2.59 in Q5. The risk‐stratification algorithm was able to predict total mortality after CRT (survival ranging from 93%‐Q1 to 77%‐Q5; hazards ratio [HR] = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25‐1.61, P

Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) represents one of the most innovative advances in cardiovascular imaging over the last 20 years. Recent technological developments have fueled the full implementation of 3DE in clinical practice and expanded its impact on patient diagnosis, management, and prognosis. One of the most important clinical applications of transthoracic 3DE has been the quantitation of cardiac chamber volumes and function. The main limitations affecting two-dimensional echocardiography calculations of chamber volumes (i.e. geometric assumptions about cardiac chamber shape and view foreshortening) are overcome by 3DE that allows an actual measurement of their volumes. Transesophageal 3DE has been applied mainly to assess the anatomy and function of heart valves, congenital defects and masses in the beating heart. As reparative cardiac surgery and transcatheter procedures have become more and more popular to treat structural heart disease, transesophageal 3DE has become not only one of the main imaging modalities for procedure planning but also for intra-procedural guidance and assessment of procedural results. New image rendering modalities such as 3D printing, holographic display, and fusion of 3DE images with other radiological or nuclear modalities will further expand the clinical applications and indications of 3DE.

Background Because 20% to 40% of patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) do not respond to it, identification of potential factors predicting response is a relevant research topic. Hypothesis There is a possible association between right ventricular function and response to CRT. Methods We analyzed 227 patients from the Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Modular Registry (CRT-MORE) who received CRT according to current guidelines from March to December 2013. Response to therapy was defined as a decrease of ≥15% in left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) at 6 months. Results The tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) value that best predicted improvement in LVESV (sensitivity 68%, specificity 54%) was 17 mm. Stratifying patients according to TAPSE, LVESV decreased ≥15% in 78% of patients with TAPSE >17 mm (vs 59% in patients with TAPSE ≤17 mm; P = 0.006). At multivariate analysis, TAPSE >17 mm was independently associated with LVESV improvement (odds ratio: 1.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-3.80, P 17 mm vs 55% in patients with TAPSE

AIMS: Heterozygous mutations in the transcription factor Nkx2.5 indicate a genetic cause for congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in human beings. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of NKX2.5 mutations in Italian patients with sporadic non-syndromic and syndromic CHD, as well as to appraise any genotype-phenotype correlations. METHODS: One hundred Italian patients affected with CHD (90 had sporadic non-syndromic CHD and 10 had syndromic CHD) were screened for NKX2.5 mutations. The coding region and flanking regions involved in gene splicing of the CSX/NKX2.5 gene were amplified from genomic DNA by PCR, and mutational analysis was performed using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: One previously reported NKX2.5 mutation (c.73C>T, p.R25C) was identified in two of the 100 CHD patients (2%). We have detected the p.R25C alteration in a woman showing aneurysm of the membranous septum, aortic coarctation and bicuspid aortic valve, that was a different phenotype from those previously reported, and for the first time in a patient with syndromic CHD with Down's syndrome (posterior ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect, left superior cava vein ' sinus, and patent ductus arteriosus). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that NKX2.5 mutations are not a common cause of CHD; furthermore, the p.R25C variation may increase susceptibility to development of CHD in patients with and without chromosomal abnormalities.

Congenital heart disease is one of the most important chapters in medicine because its incidence is increasing and nowadays it is close to 1.2%. Most congenital heart disorders are the result of defects during embryogenesis, which implies that they are due to alterations in genes involved in cardiac development. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms involved in cardiac development in order to clarify the genetic basis of congenital heart disease.

Background Intervendor consistency of left ventricular (LV) volume measurements using three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) has never been reported. Accordingly, we designed a prospective study to (1) compare head-to-head the accuracy of three three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) systems in measuring LV volumes and ejection fraction (EF) against cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR); (2) assess the intervendor variability of LV volumes and EF; and (3) compare the accuracy of fully automated versus semiautomated (i.e., manually corrected) methods of LV endocardial delineation against CMR. Methods We studied 92 patients (64% males, 52 years [95% CI, 20-83]) with a wide range of end-diastolic volumes (from 87 to 446 mL) and EFs (from 16% to 77%) using three different 3DE platforms (iE33; Vivid E9; Acuson SC2000) during the same echo study. CMR was performed within 3 ± 5 hours from the 3DE study in 35 patients. Results LV volumes provided by the three 3DE systems correlated with CMR volumes: end-diastolic volume (iE33: R 2 = 0.93; E9: R 2 = 0.94; SC2000: R 2 = 0.94), end-systolic volume (iE33: R 2 = 0.93; E9: R 2 = 0.95; SC2000: R 2 = 0.94), and EF (iE33: R 2 = 0.79; E9: R 2 = 0.80; SC2000: R 2 = 0.77). In the 92 patients studied, LV volumes and EFs measured with the three systems were similar. Use of fully automated endocardial border detection algorithms significantly underestimated LV volumes, and the degree of underestimation was higher with larger LV volumes. Conclusions LV volumes and EFs measured with the three 3DE systems are consistent. Fully automated algorithms underestimated LV volumes. Our findings may help in the clinical interpretation of LV parameters obtained using different 3DE systems and encourage the clinical use of 3DTTE.

Aims (i) To validate a new software for right ventricular (RV) analysis by 3D echocardiography (3DE) against cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR); (ii) to assess the accuracy of different measurement approaches; and (iii) to explore any benefits vs. the previous software. Methods and results We prospectively studied with 3DE and CMR 47 patients (14–82 years, 28 men) having a wide range of RV end-diastolic volumes (EDV 82–354 mL at CMR) and ejection fractions (EF 34–81%). Multi-beat RV 3DE data sets were independently analysed with the new software using both automated and manual editing options, as well as with the previous software. RV volume reproducibility was tested in 15 random patients. RV volumes and EF measurements by the new software had an excellent accuracy (bias ± SD: −15 ± 24 mL for EDV; 1.4 ± 4.9% for EF) and reproducibility compared with CMR, provided that the RV borders automatically tracked by software were systematically edited by operator. The automated analysis option underestimated the EDV, overestimated the ESV, and largely underestimated the EF (bias ± SD: −17 ± 10%). RV volumes measured with the new software using manual editing showed similar accuracy, but lower inter-observer variability and shorter analysis time (3–5′) in comparison with the previous software. Conclusion Novel vendor-independent 3DE software enables an accurate, reproducible and faster quantitation of RV volumes and ejection fraction. Rather than optional, systematic verification of border tracking quality and manual editing are mandatory to ensure accurate 3DE measurements. These findings are relevant for echocardiography laboratories aiming to implement 3DE for RV analysis for both research and clinical purposes.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing interest in applying three-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) to measure left ventricular (LV) myocardial deformation in various diseases, normative values for 3D speckle-tracking echocardiographic parameters and the effects of demographic, hemodynamic, and technical factors on these values are unknown. METHODS: In 265 healthy volunteers (age range, 18-76; 57% women), longitudinal strain (3DLε), circumferential strain (3DCε), radial strain (3DRε), and area strain (3DAε) were measured by using vendor-specific (Vsp) 3D speckle-tracking echocardiographic equipment. LV strain was also measured by using Vsp two-dimensional (2D) and vendor-independent 3D speckle-tracking echocardiographic software packages, for comparison. RESULTS: Reference values (lower limit of normality) for Vsp 3D STE were -17% to -21% (-15%) for 3DLε, -17% to -20% (-14%) for 3DCε, -31% to -36% (-26%) for 3DAε, and 47% to 59% (38%) for 3DRε. Three-dimensional longitudinal strain decreased, whereas 3DCε increased, with aging (P < .003), with different trends in men and women. Men had lower 3DLε, 3DRε, 3DAε, and 2D longitudinal strain than women (P < .02). LV 3D strain parameters were also influenced by LV volumes and mass, image quality, and temporal resolution (P < .02). Reference values obtained by Vsp 2D STE were -20% to -23% (-18%) for 2D longitudinal strain, -20% to -24% (-17%) for 2D circumferential strain, and 39% to 54% (28%) for 2D radial strain (P < .001 vs Vsp 3D STE). Significantly different 3DCε and 3DRε values were obtained with vendor-independent versus Vsp 3D STE (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy subjects, reference values of LV 3D strain parameters were significantly influenced by demographic, cardiac, and technical factors. Limits of normality of LV strain by Vsp 3D STE should not be used interchangeably with Vsp 2D STE or with Vin 3D STE software.

The introduction and diffusion of cross-sectional echocardiography at the end of 1970s significantly improved case ascertainment and allowed the identification of congenital heart defects with a significant increase of mild forms. However, the prevalence of severe congenital heart disease (CHD), which represented 11.7% of overall cardiovascular malformations, remained quite stable (less than 1 per 1000 live births). In past decades, a new population of adults with CHD emerged who need specialized care in centres with trained and experienced professional staff with a different level of expertise. Clinical implications of this new scenario are discussed in this article.