Integration of three-dimensional echocardiography into the modern-day echo laboratory

Abstract

Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) has emerged in recent decades from a conceptual, research tool to an important, useful imaging technique that can informatively impact daily clinical practice. However, its adoption into the modern-day echo laboratory requires the acknowledgment of its value, coupled with proper leadership, education, and resources to implement and integrate its use with conventional echo techniques. 3DE integration involves important updates regarding equipment and patient selection, assimilation of 3D protocols into current clinical routine, laboratory workflow adaptation, storage, and reporting. This review will provide a practical blueprint and key points of how to integrate 3DE into today's echo laboratory, necessary resources to implement 3D workflow, logistical challenges that remain, and future directions to further improve assimilation of this relevant echo technique into the laboratory.

Keywords: cardiac imaging; three-dimensional echocardiography; three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography; three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography.