[Reference values of global and regional myocardial function for stress echocardiography]

Two-dimensional echocardiography has become a sensitive method to differentiate between normal and pathological myocardial function during exercise. Examining 50 healthy volunteers we determined normal values for global and regional left-ventricular function during bicycle exercise. Ejection fraction increased from 59 +/- 10% at rest to 85 +/- 7% at 210 watts workload, endsystolic volume decreased from 22.1 ml/m2 at rest to 7.1 ml/m2 at 210 watts. Enddiastolic volume showed a tendency to decrease from 55 +/- 21 ml/m2 at rest to 45 +/- 23 ml/m2 at 210 watts. Quantitative analysis showed an extended distribution both for Centerline- and Radiant-Method, during exercise Centerline-Method was superior. Two-dimensional echocardiography is useful for assessment of global and regional myocardial function during exercise. Decrease of ejection fraction or increase of endsystolic volume seems to be a pathological marker. Enddiastolic volume is a less useful parameter for evaluating left-ventricular function during stress. Quantitative analysis of left ventricular wall motion can be applied with restrictions.