Ejection fraction: subjective visual echocardiographic estimation versus radionuclide angiography.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to validate the correlation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) between two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography with harmonic imaging modality and radionuclide angiography (RNA) in a large number of patients.


BACKGROUND
Subjective visual estimation of LVEF is the most prevalent method in evaluating left ventricular systolic function. Previous published reports demonstrated that visual estimation from 2D was superior to other mathematical calculations, however the studies contained less than 50 patients.


METHODS
Retrospective review of 377 consecutive medical records containing LVEF from both 2D echocardiography and RNA obtained from the same patient within 15 days from January 1998 to September 1999.


RESULTS
Correlation coefficient value (r) between 2D echocardiography subjective visual estimation and RNA was 0.84. The r value was further increased to 0.87 when heart transplant recipients excluded. The agreement of LVEF between 2D echocardiography and RNA are higher in normal or severely depressed LV.


CONCLUSIONS
Excellent correlation of LVEF exists between 2D echocardiography subjective visual estimation and RNA, especially in normal or severely depressed LV.
Shih
TianChu
T
Department of Cardiology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA. tianchu.shih@dreyermed.com
Lichtenberg
Robert
R
Jacobs
William
W
D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011875:Radionuclide Angiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume; D013997:Time Factors