Assessment of aortic arch by 3-d echocardiography

The purpose of the present study was to develop a 3-D echo imaging protocol to more precisely examine the aortic arch and its branches. Six healthy volunteers (1 female, 5 males; ages 21 to 28 years) were imaged. Each subject underwent 2-D echo/Doppler assessment of the aortic arch and vessels from the suprastemal notch Images were obtained using a 2.5Mhz multi-frequency five ring annular phased array probe with a Vingmed CFM800 ultrasound machine. 3-D acquisition and reconstruction were accomplished using a Tomtec Echoscan 3-D imaging system. Images were acquired by placing the ultrasound probe in a rotational device, powered by a stepper motor, and controlled by the Tomtec system. It was necessary to over gain the image for adequate visualization in the Tomtec system A mid range setting for compression appeared to yield best results. Slice resolution setting with highest quality images was less than two degrees of rotation per slice. Acquisitions were gated to heart rate only. The cutplane where a longitudinal section of the arch was most commonly found was located at Alpha ±90°, Beta 0°, Gamma ±90°. In all subjects adequate 3-D reconstruction of the aortic arch and vessels was achieved. In most cases the segments and vessels reconstructed were the distal aortic arch and the proximal 2 to 3 cm of the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries. Reconstruction of the innominate artery was inconsistent. 3-D echocardiography of aortic arch with its branches is feasible The technique is being refined further for complete visualization of the arch and its branches.