Three-dimensional echocardiographic quantification of the left-heart chambers using an automated adaptive analytics algorithm: multicentre validation study

Although recommended by current guidelines, adoption of three-dimensional echocardiographic (3DE) chamber quantification in clinical practice has lagged because of time-consuming analysis. We recently validated an automated algorithm that measures left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF). This study aimed to determine the accuracy and reproducibility of these measurements in a multicentre setting. 180 patients underwent 3DE imaging (Philips) at six sites. Images were analysed using automated HeartModel (HM) software with endocardial border correction when necessary and by manual tracing. Measurements were performed by each site and by the Core Laboratory (CL) as the reference. Inter-technique comparisons included HM measurements by the sites against manual tracing by CL, and showed strong correlations (r-values: LVEDV: 0.97, LVESV: 0.97, LVEF: 0.88, LAV: 0.96), with the automated technique slightly underestimating LV volumes (biases: LVEDV: -14 ± 20 ml, LVESV: -6 ± 20 ml), LVEF (-2 ± 7%) and LAV (-9 ± 10 ml). Intra-technique comparisons included HM measurements by the sites against CL, with and without corrections. Corrections were unnecessary or minimal in most patients, and improved the measurements only modestly. Comparisons without corrections showed perfect agreement for all parameters. With corrections, correlations were better (r-values: LVEDV: 0.99, LVESV: 0.99, LVEF: 0.94, LAV: 0.99) and biases (LVEDV: -8 ± 12 ml, LVESV: -6 ± 12 ml, LVEF: 1 ± 5%, LAV: -10 ± 6 ml) smaller than in inter-technique comparison. All automated measurements with corrections were more reproducible than manual measurements. Automated 3DE analysis of left-heart chambers is an accurate alternative to conventional manual methodology, which yields almost the same values across laboratories and is more reproducible. This technique may contribute towards full integration of 3DE quantification into clinical routine.