OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of 4-dimensional reconstruction by inversion mode of spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) in prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart diseases. METHODS: Cardiac volume images of 30 normal fetuses and 22 fetuses with congenital heart diseases were obtained by STIC gray-scale 2-dimensional imaging technique. Under the guidance of cross-sectional display, the images were collected by inversion mode. RESULTS: A total of 53 and 38 qualified volume images were obtained in the 30 normal fetuses and 22 fetuses with congenital heart diseases respectively. All volume images were inverted successfully and showed the spacial position of the heart and blood vessel directly. CONCLUSION Four-dimensional reconstruction by inversion mode of STIC is feasible. This new method can provide more morphologic information, and may be used for prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart diseases.
Adult ; Echocardiography, Four-Dimensional ; methods ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Pregnancy ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; methods

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Decreased left atrial appendage (LAA) emptying velocity in transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is related with higher incidence of thrombus and increased risk of stroke. Patients with valve disease are at higher risk of thrombus formation before and after surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of 4-dimensional cardiac computed tomography (4DCT) to predict the risk of thrombus formation. METHODS: Between March 2010 to March 2015, total of 62 patients (mean 60±15 years old, male: 53.2%) who underwent 4DCT and TEE for cardiac valve evaluation before surgery were retrospectively included in the current study. Fractional area change in TEE view and emptying velocity at left atrial appendage in TEE view (VeTEE) were measured. Ejection fraction (EF) of left atrial appendage in computed tomography (EFCT) was calculated by 4DCT with full volume analysis. The best cut-off value of EFCT predicting presence of spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) or thrombus was evaluated, and correlation between the parameters were also estimated. RESULTS: SEC or thrombus was observed in 45.2%. EFCT and VeTEE were significantly correlated (r=0.452, p < 0.001). However, fractional area change measured by TEE showed no correlation with VeTEE (r=0.085, p=0.512). EFCT < 37.5% best predicted SEC or thrombus in the patients with valve disease who underwent 4DCT and TEE (area under the curve, 0.654; p=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: In the patients who underwent 4DCT for cardiac valve evaluation before surgery, EFCT by volume analysis might have additional role to evaluate LAA function and estimate the risk of thrombus.
Atrial Appendage ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Heart Valves ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; Thrombosis