RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the accuracy of measurement of the atrial septal defect (ASD)area and dynamic change by live three-dimensional echocardiography (L3DE). METHODS: L3DE was performed in patients with ASD using a three-dimensional workstation to obtain the en face view of the ASD and measure its area at the peak of P-wave, the peak of R-wave, the initial and the destination point of T-wave, and the period of P-T. Parameters derived from L3DE were compared with intraoperative measurements. RESULTS: The ASD area changed significantly during cardiac cycles (mean change 46.1%, p < 0.0001; range 15.2-72.5%), with the maximal area at endsystole and the minimal area at enddiastole. There was excellent correlation between L3DE and intraoperative measurements for the area of ASD at the peak of P-wave (r = 0.92). There were good correlations between the two methods during the other phases of cardiac cycle (r = 0.81-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: L3DE provides accurate and feasible measurements of the ASD area. Investigation of the dynamic changes during the cardiac cycle may lead to an improved understanding of the hemodynamics of ASD.
