Cooper Heart Institute Offers First Real-Time Color 3-D Echo in Delaware Valley

The Cooper Heart Institute recently became the first institution in the Delaware Valley to provide real-time color 3-D echocardiography. Traditional 2-D echo is limited in its ability to depict entire structures and perform quantitative measurements. 3-D echo offers dimension and depth for more accurate visualization and calculation. The technology is able to process shape, size, and position of structures in dozens of imaging planes to reconstruct the entire heart.

“3-D echo quantitation is more accurate than 2-D in determining left ventricular volume because it avoids geometric assumptions,” says Rido Cha, M.D., director of the Cooper Echocardiography Laboratory.

In addition to the left ventricle, 3-D echo is able to reconstruct the right ventricle including — the interventricular septum, the right and left atria, valve and subvalvular apparatus, and vessel orifices. One major limitation of 3-D echo has been that it is unable to capture and process instantaneous images of the beating heart. The new live color 3-D echo produces structural images and real-time assessment of function, including blood flow and volume.

“Live color 3-D echo has advanced imaging capabilities that can produce detailed information on cardiac structure and function,” says Dr. Cha. “For example, the real time images of valve function and morphology provides critical information for determining the course of treatment, whether it is medical management, interventional treatment, or surgical repair,” he adds.

“Live color 3-D echo also provides enhanced visualization of the shape and dynamic changes of atrial and ventricular septal defects,” reports Dr. Cha. “And, because the data is volume-rendered, physicians can access and view data from any angle at any time.”

“The goal of adding such state-of-the-art technology is simple,” says Joseph Parrillo, M.D., medical director of the Cooper Heart Institute. “The addition of each new piece of technology, each new physician expert, and each new program supports our mission to be the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic cardiovascular center in South Jersey. Our goal is to continue that growth and development, so we can better serve the needs of our patients and referring physicians,” he adds.

For more information about the capabilities of live color 3-D echo at Cooper, or to refer a patient, please call: (856) 342-2034.