Time analysis
Echocardiographic acquisition time and offline analysis time were recorded on 50 patients. Time recordings were performed with a digital stopwatch and with the help of a second observer during echocardiographic acquisition. The order of the acquisition time is presented in appendix. Time was started with the patient in position, with no previous apical images acquired, and thus no knowledge of apical image quality. When 2D images had been acquired, time was stopped while the echocardiographer switched to a 3D probe. Time was then recorded for 3D of the LA. 3D acquisition time included shifting to full-volume mode, adjusting number of subvolumes, and instructing the patient in breath holding.
Offline analysis time was recorded for all methods. Analysis time did not include opening of the EchoPAC software or downloading images from the server. Total time consumption was calculated.