Circumflex artery motion; a new angiographic method for assessment of left ventricular function.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of circumflex artery motion (CAM) for assessment of left ventricular (LV) function.


METHODS
Seventy-three consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography and LV angiography were included. Ejection fraction (EF) was calculated from LV angiography and CAM was measured from coronary angiography.


RESULTS
The ratio between CAM and the end-diastolic length of the ventricle, which can be denominated long-axis fractional shortening (FS(L)), was found to be a better index of LV function than CAM per se. There was a significant linear correlation between EF and FS(L) (r = 0.81, SEE = 8.2, p < 0.001). When values of FS(L) > or =10% were selected to define a normal EF (> or =50%) there was a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 93%. Visual estimation of EF from CAM was not as good as the use of calculated FS(L) but may me useful as a fast screening method.


CONCLUSIONS
LV systolic function can be assessed by studying CAM recorded by coronary angiography.
Kähäri
Anders
A
Department of Radiology, Orebro University Hospital, Sweden. anders.kahari@orebroll.se
Emilsson
Kent
K
Danielewicz
Mikael
M
Andersson
Torbjörn
T
Wandt
Birger
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000503:physiopathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*