Two-dimensional and three-dimensional left ventricular deformation analysis: a study in competitive athletes

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has clarified functional adaptations accompanying the morphological features of ‘athlete’s heart’. However, 2D STE has some limitations, potentially overcome by three-dimensional (3D) STE. Unfortunately, discrepancies between 2D- and 3D STE have been described. We therefore sought to evaluate whether dimensional and functional differences exist between athletes and contro ls and whether 2D and 3D left ventricular (LV) strains differ in athletes. One hundred sixty-one individuals (91 athletes, 70 controls) were analysed. Athletes were members of professional sports teams. 2D and 3D echocardiography and STE were used to assess LV size and function. Bland–Altman analy sis was used to estimate the level of agreement between 2D and 3D STE. Athletes had greater 2D and 3D-derived LV dimensions and LV mass (p <  0.0001 for all), while 2D- and 3D-derived LV ejection fraction did not differ as compared with controls (p = 0.82 and p = 0.89, respectively). Longitudinal, radial, and circumferential strains did not differ between athletes and controls, neither by 2D nor by 3D STE. Three-dimensional lon gitudinal and circumferential strain values were lower (p <  0.0001 for both) while 3D radial strain was greater, as compared with 2D STE (p <  0.001). Bland–Altman plots demonstrated the presence of an absolute systematic error between 2D and 3D STE to analyse LV myocardial deformatio...
Source: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging - Category: Radiology Source Type: research