title: High-resolution two-dimensional echocardiography improves the quantification of left ventricular function.
abstract: It is not clear if newer echo technology prevents underestimation of ejection fraction in comparison with cineventriculography (CVG). Before undergoing CVG, 48 patients were studied with state-of-the-art, high-resolution two-dimensional echocardiography with a 3.5 MHz transducer, 96 crystals, and digital storing (slow motion and cine-loop). These data are compared with results published by us in 1983 (37 patients). Volumes were calculated using the biplane method of discs in a single area length. Exclusion criteria in 1990 were poor two-dimensional echocardiography quality (n = 6) and extra-systole during CVG (n = 4). The difference between the mean values of the angiography and echocardiography data in the new study (1990) were 4.7 ml/m2/body surface area (BSA) for the end-diastolic volume, 0.1 ml/m2 for the end-systolic volume, and 1.5% for the ejection fraction (all NS). The mean difference between both methods in the old study (1983) were -39.1 ml/m2/BSA (p less than 0.001) for end-diastolic volume, -17.4 ml/m2 (p less than 0.001) for end-systolic volume, and -7.2% for ejection fraction (p less than 0.001). The regression equation for determination of ejection fraction was y = 0.606x + 13, r = 0.803 for the old study, and y = 0.935x + 2.5; r = 0.935 for the new study. These results indicate that state-of-the-art, high-resolution two-dimensional echocardiography prevents the systematic underestimation of left ventricular volume and ejection fraction, most likely because of better delineation of endocardium in end-systole.
authors.affiliation: II. Medical Clinic, University Hospital, Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Görge
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Erbel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brennecke
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Rupprecht
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Todt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D002306:Cardiac Volume; D002933:Cineradiography; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left