Echocardiography for Assessment of Right Ventricular Volumes Revisited: A Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Comparison Study in Adults with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot

Background: The aim of this study was to develop a mathematical model using two-dimensional echocardiographic parameters to estimate right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDVi) in adults with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Methods: Linear regression equations were used to examine the relationship between two-dimensional echocardiographic and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging measures of RVEDVi. Imaging studies in 101 adults were used to create and validate the model. The ability of the model to detect changes in CMR RVEDVi was tested in 57 adults with serial studies. Results: The optimal model to quantitate CMR RVEDVi included two-dimensional echocardiographic right ventricular end-diastolic area measured in the apical four-chamber view, indexed to body surface area (AreaDi) (CMR RVEDVi = 11.5 + [7 x AreaDi]). The model reliably allowed the detection of stable and changing CMR RVEDVi (kappa = 0.84 and kappa = 0.82, respectively, P < .0001). Conclusion: Quantitative assessment of right-ventricular volumes by echocardiography is feasible and may be used for serial follow-up in patients with contraindications for CMR. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2010;23:905-11.)