AIMS: Right ventricular (RV) remodelling involves changes in size, function, and shape. Although three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) allows imaging of RV morphology, regional RV shape analysis has not been evaluated using 3DE. We developed a technique to quantify RV shape and tested its ability to differentiate normal from pressure overloaded right ventricles. Methods Transthoracic 3DE RV images were acquired in 54 subjects, including 39 @entity1 with @entity120 ( @entity120 ) and 15 normal controls (NL). 3D RV surfaces were reconstructed (TomTec) at end-diastole and @entity299 ( @entity299 , ES) and processed using custom software to calculate mean curvature of the inflow and outflow tracts (RVIT, RVOT), apex, and body (both divided into free wall and septum). METHODS AND RESULTS: Septal segments (apical and body) in NLs were characterized by concavity (curvature < 0) in @entity299 and slight convexity (curvature > 0) in ES. In @entity120 , however, the septum remained convex, bulging into the left ventricle throughout the cardiac cycle. In keeping with the 'bellows-like' action of RV contraction in the NL group, the body free wall transitioned from a convex surface at @entity299 to a more flattened surface at ES, while the apex free wall progressed from a less convex surface at @entity299 to a more convex surface at ES. In contrast, in @entity120 , both RV free-wall segments (apical and body) remained equally convex throughout the cardiac cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Curvature analysis using 3D echocardiography allows quantitative evaluation of RV remodelling, which could be used to track differential changes in regional RV shape, as a way to assess disease progression or regression.

Three-dimensional echocardiography-based analysis of right ventricular shape in XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity120 :: ('MESH:D006976', 'Disease') :: ['PAH', 'pulmonary artery hypertension'] @entity299 :: ('MESH:D006331', 'Disease') :: ['ED', 'end-systole']
@entity120 :: (MESH:D006976,Disease) :: ['pulmonary arterial hypertension']
