A densitometric method for quantitative analysis of the left ventricle performance using i.v. digital subtraction angiography.

Abstract

In this paper we present a method we used to provide quantitative description of the systolic and diastolic temporal function of the left ventricle (LV). Additional parameters, such as peak filling and ejection rates, times to end systole and end diastole, and temporal changes in slow and fast filling are obtained. The volumes associated with these parameters are also calculated. Correlation between LV volume changes during the cardiac style and corresponding "density" variations was confirmed. Time-density curves were obtained from selected cardiac cycles in each study. We used the polynomial fitting technique to fit the time density curves and developed a computer algorithm for deriving the relevant parameters. Data from a total of 18 patients with ischemic heart or valvular diseases, who underwent I.V. ventriculography was analysed using our method. Some of these patients were forwarded for repeated digital subtraction angiography (DSA) examination before and after intervention therapy to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. In comparison to the geometric method for the analysis of LV performance, our method is generally faster and simpler to employ. The method was effective in detecting variations in the peak ejection and filling rates in our group of patients before and after interventional therapy.