Cardiac catheterization and angiographic analysis computer applications

Variability and reproducibility of quantitative left ventricular angiography

To evaluate the reproducibility of left ventricular angiography for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) function and regional wall motion, two ventriculographies were performed in the 30 degrees right anterior oblique (RAO) projection, at 15-minute intervals, in 19 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Heart rate, left ventricular systolic pressure, and end-diastolic pressure were measured 15 minutes after the first angiography returned to the baseline values (71.0 +/- 14.1 vs. 72.2 +/- 15.5 beats/minute, 153.6 +/- 18.0 vs. 152.8 +/- 19.9 mm Hg, 21.7 +/- 8.6 vs. 20.9 +/- 7.3 mm Hg, respectively). Global and regional LV performance was analyzed by two observers with a computer-assisted technique. Intraobserver mean variation of end-diastolic volume and ejection fraction was less than 3% of the control value. Interobserver mean variations for the same parameters were less than 4% of control values. For both observers, there was no significant variation of LV end-diastolic volume and ejection fraction from one study to the other. Under stable hemodynamic conditions, the mean observed variations were, depending on the observer, 5-6% of the control value for LV end-diastolic volume and 5% for ejection fraction. Analysis of segmental wall motion was also highly reproducible. The mean intraobserver variation (% of control value) of wall motion ranged from 4.4% to 9.2%, depending on the sectors studied. The mean interobserver variation, whatever the sector, ranged from 6.9% to 13.5%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Return of left ventricular function after reperfusion in patients with myocardial infarction: importance of subtotal stenoses or intact collaterals

To determine whether subsequent improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction can be predicted from preintervention coronary arteriograms, we divided 63 patients with acute myocardial infarction into two groups based on findings at emergency coronary arteriography at a mean of 7 hr after onset of symptoms: (1) a "no-flow" group with an occluded infarct-related artery and no easily visible collaterals (n = 36) and (2) a "limited-flow" group with either subtotal stenosis or total occlusion of the infarct-related vessel with intact collaterals (n = 27). Of the 63 patients, 61 underwent emergency procedures to establish reperfusion. At follow-up angiography (contrast or radionuclide) performed 12 +/- 7 days after infarction, global ejection fraction had increased significantly in patients with limited flow to the infarct zone and "successful" early reperfusion intervention due primarily to a significant increase in the regional ejection fraction in the infarct zone. Global ejection fraction fell significantly between baseline and follow-up in patients with no flow to the infarct zone and "unsuccessful" early reperfusion intervention due primarily to a fall in the regional ejection fraction of the noninfarct zone. Global and regional ejection fractions did not change significantly in patients with no flow to the infarct zone and successful early reperfusion or in patients with limited flow to the infarct zone and unsuccessful early reperfusion intervention. The elapsed time before reperfusion did not relate significantly to the change in either regional or global ejection fraction. However, the magnitude of improvement in both global and regional ejection fraction at follow-up was greater among patients with anterior infarcts than among those with inferior infarcts, possibly because baseline ejection fraction was lower in patients with anterior infarcts. These data indicate that among patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing emergency coronary arteriography at a mean of 7 hr after onset of symptoms, improvement in global ejection fraction is unlikely to occur even after a successful early reperfusion intervention in the absence of preserved flow to the infarct area. However, among patients with subtotally occluded infarct-related arteries or significant collateral blood flow to the infarct zone, subsequent improvement in global and regional ejection fraction in the zone of myocardial infarction frequently occurs. Improvement in both global and regional ejection fraction may be more readily demonstrated in patients initially having more severe depression of these parameters.

An interactive microcomputer-based graphics system for analysis of cardiodynamic function

An on-line interactive, modular, menu-driven microcomputer-based data acquisition and analysis system was designed and implemented. This system includes a low-cost commercial desk-top graphics computer with a modular construction. All these operations are performed using extended BASIC "CALL" statements. The system is designed to be used in a cardiovascular research and laboratory environment where the assessment of hemodynamic and cardiodynamic function includes routine measurements of pressure and flow. In addition, the measurement of regional and global left ventricular chamber dimensions have been implemented. The modular design of the software system is "human-engineered" to enable a simple, cost effective computer system to perform physiological measurement and control. Extended BASIC language instructions provide the casual computer user with a simple yet effective means of implementing on-line data acquisition, analysis and graphic production and display.