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.