Real time three-dimensional echocardiography for evaluation of congenital heart defects: state of the art.

Real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) has been increasingly used in the diagnosis and assessment of congenital heart disease. A growing body of literature suggests that this new technology can be used as an integrated approach to assess the morphology of simple and complex congenital heart defects, flow abnormality, and left, right, and single ventricular function both qualitatively and quantitatively. This review summarizes the available evidence for the use of RT3DE in each of these areas. Future technology refinement in RT3DE and development of practice guidelines will increase the utilization of this new technology as a valuable tool to compliment 2D echocardiography/Doppler in clinical care and research to improve the care and outcome of congenital heart disease.