Three-dimensional echocardiography in the assessment of ventricular function in children: pros, cons, and hopes.

The accurate assessment of ventricular function is crucial in paediatric cardiology because its results affect the diagnosis and clinical management. Children with cardiovascular problems require frequent evaluation of ventricular function parameters; therefore, three-dimensional echocardiography may be the perfect modality to address that issue and a valuable supplement to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. In the present article we review the literature in search of strengths and limitations of quantitative three-dimensional echocardiography for its clinical use in paediatric cardiology.