Table 1

Comparison between different techniques.

Technique

Advantages

Disadvantages

M-mod echocardiography

-safe,

-rapid,

-cost-effective,

-available,

-portable,

-highly versatile,

-noninvasive

-limited in patients with poor acoustic image (obese and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asymmetric LV

-operator dependent

2DE

-safe,

-rapid,

-cost-effective,

-available,

-portable,

-highly versatile,

-noninvasive

-limited in patients with poor acoustic image (obese and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asymmetric LV ,

-operator dependent

3DE

-safe,

-rapid,

-cost-effective,

-available,

-portable,

-versatile

-highly versatile,

-noninvasive

-limited in patients with poor acoustic image (obese and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

CMR

-safe

-highly versatile,

-noninvasive -reproducible

- Limited in claustrophobic patients, acute and chronic renal failure or those with metallic implants,

-long testing time,

-expensive,

-not portable,

-limited availability

CCT

-medium versatile,

-noninvasive

- Limited in patients with arrhythmia or obesity,

-long testing time,

-radiation exposure,

-limited for serial studies,

-not portable,

-contrast agent exposure

SPECT

-medium versatile,

-noninvasive

-long testing time,

-radiation exposure,

-limited for serial studies,

-not portable,

-expensive

CV

-medium versatile,

-invasive,

-radiation exposure,

-not portable,

-contrast agent exposure,

Limited in patients with pulmonary, and pericardial disease

Celebi et al. Cardiovascular Ultrasound 2010 8:19   doi:10.1186/1476-7120-8-19