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Circumflex artery motion; a new angiographic method for assessment of left ventricular function
Anders Kähäri1, Kent Emilsson, Mikael Danielewicz
1Department of Radiology, Orebro University Hospital, Sweden. anders.kahari@orebroll.se
Objective:
To evaluate the usefulness of circumflex artery motion (CAM) for assessment of left ventricular (LV) function.
Design:
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.
Conclusion:
LV systolic function can be assessed by studying CAM recorded by coronary angiography.