Three-dimensional echocardiography in acute heart failure: Can and should we do it in the emergency department?

ABSTRACT

Despite its proven superiority over two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DTTE) for left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction, clinical use of 3DTTE remains very limited in the acute setting. 3DTTE may have significant clinical advantages in the assessment of acute heart failure. Further exploration of 3DTTE utilization may help in more precise assessment of the regional wall-motion abnormalities, early identification of acute ischemic from nonischemic LV dysfunction with a more precise approach to the AHF management. The use of other measures, especially the right ventricular and the left atrial assessment, and 3D strain methodology may further expand the potential future utility of 3DTTE in patients with new-onset HF.