Kushal Singh1, Anshita Singh2, Piyush3
BACKGROUND
Echocardiography is considered as a traditional approach to clinically study dilated
cardiomyopathy. Because of poor apical visibility, however, volumetric calculations
are difficult to ascertain. In calculating left ventricle volumes and ejection fractions,
magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has shown to be more accurate than
echocardiography. Due to conflicting literature, the present study was conducted
to diagnose dilated cardiomyopathy using 2 D - echocardiography and correlate
these echocardiographic findings with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
METHODS
This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of
Radio-diagnosis and Imaging, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical sciences,
Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, Pin 515134. The study group consisted of
consecutive patients who had clinical suspicion of dilated cardiomyopathy. A total
of 40 patients underwent both 2 D - echo and cardiac MRI on the same day. All
patients underwent 2 - D echo which was performed at the frame rate of 40 - 80
frames per second in the left lateral decubitus position to obtain standard 2, 3,
and 4 chambers as well as short axis views (GE Vingmed Vivid 7 Dimensions,
Horton, Norway: 2.5 MHz transducer). MRI was performed on a 1.5 T scanner
(Mangnetom Aera, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). For patient monitoring and
cardiac synchronization, 3 - lead electrocardiography was used.
RESULTS
In the present study, in comparison to reference standard (cardiac MRI), 2 D -
echocardiography showed significant and systematic underestimation of enddiastolic
volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV) and stroke volume (SV). Good
correlation between 2 D - echo and cardiac MRI was noted for end-diastolic volume
(r = 0.89), stroke volume (r = 0.60) and ejection fraction (r = 0.75).
CONCLUSIONS
In summary, magnetic resonance imaging is an accurate, non-invasive, safe and
advanced modality for evaluation of global left ventricular function and myocardial
scarring. 2 D - echocardiography can be used for screening of the patients with
clinically suspected dilated cardiac myopathy (DCM) and their follow up.
