As announced in July 2010, an innovative technique developed at Southampton General Hospital in southern England for the first time in the world allows doctors to identify heart defects much more accurately than traditional two-dimensional (2D) or standard three-dimensional (3D) scans. As a result, this technique is radically improving the speed and accuracy of diagnosis.

The method, known as multiplane review (MPR) 3D echocardiography, is able to 'slice' 3D images of the heart into intricate sections using computer software. The technology enables the user to see for the first time the three dimensions of the heart move simultaneously. MPR also allows cardiologists and cardiac surgeons from around the world to capture 3D data of patients and upload them to a dedicated website or email them for detailed assessment.

Consultant congenital cardiologist Dr Joseph Vettukattil, who pioneered the development of MPR, said: "The most important aspect is the operator's ability to slice the dynamic cardiac structures in infinite sections through all the three dimensions, which was not possible before we developed MPR 3D echocardiography."

He added: "You can chop the heart into small pieces and see what is wrong and exactly where it is wrong on the screen. By using MPR, because you are slicing and seeing it in three different planes, you can get a clear understanding of a patient - especially in a child whose heart is congenitally malformed."

Traditionally, diagnosis of heart defects has been made using 2D scans with the addition of invasive cardiac catheterisation. Dr Vettukattil explained: "The 2D images show pictures of the heart in two planes, so it just takes one slice of the heart and, because it has not been easy to know without doubt what the problem is, surgeons have often had to perform exploratory operations as well. Now, though, we are able to visualise even more than a surgeon can during an operation, minimising the need for additional and invasive assessments." 

Dr Vettukattil made the discovery following an upgrade from conventional 2D imaging on echo machines in the children's heart unit at Southampton General Hospital. The new basic 3D method of examination only enabled users to view a full cube shape and not definitively dissect the defective part of a patient's heart on screen. This led Dr Vettukattil to set up two PCs with 3D software programs to read results from the echo scans in a small side room, and he went on to develop MPR after many hours of study.

MPR has been developed to identify heart abnormalities that are present from birth. It is believed the technology could eventually replace the need for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for most aspects of cardiac imaging.

Further information:

• Original news article - Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust