[Current approaches to echocardiographic assessment of systolic function of the heart]

Among modern methods of visualization of the heart echocardiography is most often used for assessment of systolic function of the heart. The reasons for this are noninvasive character of investigation, absence of ionizing radiation, quickness of carrying out, availability and wide dissemination of echocardiography. Parameter of systolic function most wanted in the clinic is ejection fraction. Advantages and drawbacks of various techniques of calculation of ejection fraction obtained at echocardiography are analyzed in the paper. Comparison with other contemporary methods of imaging of the heart and evaluation of cardiac systolic function is conducted as well. The authors underline importance of complex assessment of systolic function of the heart proceeding from basic disease with consideration of anatomical and functional specific features of the heart as well as character of intracardiac hemodynamics. Supplementary and alternative variants of analysis of systolic function of the heart, based on visual assessment of contractility and on the use of Doppler curves are also discussed.