TOMTEC: Trusted partner for innovative research

Scrolling through the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE) in August and September must have been a great pleasure for TOMTEC fans. In total, six cardiology scientific research projects were performed using TOMTEC software. The topics explored range from 4D RV functions to artificial intelligence and echo.

One publication in the August issue described the results of a 3D echo study in healthy volunteers. To define the “Importance of Nonlongitudinal Motion Components in Right Ventricular Function: Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Study in Healthy Volunteers” the researchers used TOMTECs 4D RV solution. The 4D RV package evaluates longitudinal, radial and anteroposterior motion which provides RV ejection and corresponds to the myocardial anatomy of the ventricle. The ability to evaluate wall motion in multiple directions   provides additional diagnostic and prognostic power. The overall aim of the research was, “To quantify the relative contributions of longitudinal, radial, and anteroposterior motion components to global RV function and to examine their determining factors in a large cohort of healthy volunteers.”

The second publication focused on the “Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular 2D and 3D Speckle-Tracking Strain in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Superiority of Longitudinal Strain over Circumferential and Radial Strain”. One result: RV longitudinal strain can distinguish the different degrees of pulmonary artery hypertension and also can track clinical improvements due to vasodilator therapy.

Virtual reality and AI

Two publications used innovative techniques for their research. This included artificial intelligence and virtual reality analysis. The review article “Artificial Intelligence and Echocardiography: A Primer for Cardiac Sonographers” investigated, from a sonographer’s perspective, the added value of AI with deep learning – a technique that has already been tried. The authors used TOMTEC to evaluate current applications of AI and how its use may improve patient care in the future.

Another study demonstrated the feasibility of converting 3DE and CCT data into diagnostic-quality VR models compared to conventional imaging. Supported by TOMTEC measurements, VR allows true 3D visualization and manipulation by immersing the user into the heart. These data indicate that VR allows faster and more accurate navigation and examination.

Are you interested in the publications where TOMTEC is an essential part of the research? Learn more about how TOMTEC helps to improve future cardiac care: 

Publications in the @JournalASEcho

• Prognostic Value of Right Ventricular Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Strain in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Superiority of Longitudinal Strain over Circumferential and Radial Strain
• Importance of Nonlongitudinal Motion Components in Right Ventricular Function: Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic Study in Healthy Volunteers
• Refining Severe Tricuspid Regurgitation Definition by Echocardiography with a New Outcomes-Based "Massive" Grade
• Artificial Intelligence and Echocardiography: A Primer for Cardiac Sonographers
• Virtual Reality Analysis of Three-Dimensional Echocardiographic and Cardiac Computed Tomographic Data Sets
• Use of Machine Learning to Improve Echocardiographic Image Interpretation Workflow: A Disruptive Paradigm Change?