Objective:To study the clinical value of real time-three dimensional echocardiography(RT-3DE) in evaluating the systolic function of the right ventricle. Methods:The right ventricular end diastolic volume(RVEDV),right ventricular end systolic volume(RVESV),right ventricular stroke volume(RVSV) and right ventricular ejection fraction(RVEF) were measured by RT-3DE and tri-cuspid regurgitation pressure gradient(TRPG) and systolic pulmonary artery pressure(SPAP) were measured by Doppler in 80 cases of acute pulmonary embolism. Eighty normal persons were taken as controls. Results:The values of RVEDV,TRPG and SPAP were increased but the values of RVSV and RVEF were decreased in the acute pulmonary embolism group compared with those in the nor-mal control group(P<0.05). Conclusions:RT-3DE can reflect the changes of right ventricular systolic function objectively in patients with acute pulmonary embolism,which is helpful for the early diagnosis.