TrueVue Plus Light and Glass Three-Dimensional Echocardiography for Heart Diseases: A Revolution in Cardiovascular Imaging.

PURPOSE: To explore the value and operational points of TrueVue, TrueVue Light, and TrueVue Glass, which are emerging, advanced three-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) technologies, for the clinical diagnosis of heart diseases.

METHODS

Echocardiography examinations were performed in 272 patients with suspected structural heart diseases. Two-dimensional (2D) and real-time 3DE methods, including traditional and new 3D imaging techniques were used. The Likert scale was used to compare the novel and traditional techniques. The operational capabilities, advantages, and limitations of the new techniques were assessed.

RESULTS

Twenty-one (7.7%) patients had normal cardiac structure, 98 (36.0%) had congenital heart diseases, 70 (25.7%) had acquired valvular diseases, 43 (15.8%) had cardiomyopathy, and 40 (14.7%) had other cardiac structural abnormalities. TrueVue provided high-resolution, realistic 3D images. TrueVue Light provided a virtual light source to apply light and shade effects that could be set at different locations and depths. TrueVue Glass was used for highlighting the borders of the chambers, thin valves, and vessels. The evaluation scores (Likert scale) of the novel 3DE tools were higher than those of traditional 3DE systems (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

For viewing various cardiac lesions, novel 3DE imaging was preferred over conventional displays in all surveyed groups. The use of TrueVue, TrueVue Light, and TrueVue Glass 3DE provides effective reference information, increases the diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, and optimizes the workflow of doctors who diagnose and treat heart diseases.