Defining normal left ventricular wall motion from contrast ventriculograms

Sources of variability in defining the normal range for left ventricular (LV) motion from contrast ventriculograms were assessed by comparing the function of 183 normal patients from six sites in three countries. Wall motion was measured using the centreline method at seven regions around the LV contour. The influence of institution, heart rate, age, end diastolic volume, body surface area and gender was evaluated using univariate analysis, and then compared using multivariate regression analysis. Wall motion varied significantly but weakly (/r/ < 0.32 for all) with site, gender and body surface area in some regions. Variability was greater within sites than between sites. Wall motion was most similar in the two sites with the largest patient populations (N = 49 and N = 52). Normal LV wall motion is influenced by many factors. The reliable definition of the normal range requires analysis of a large number of subjects. For wall motion, the normal population should comprise closer to 50 subjects than the 10-20 that are commonly referenced.