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Aortic ejection fraction: a new hemodynamic parameter and its relationship to aortic insufficiency
M E Siegel1, D C Chen, J Kantor
1Department of Radiology, LAC-USC Medical Center.
Angiology
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Aortic ejection fraction (AEF) can now quantify aortic insufficiency (AI) using scintiangiography. This new method accurately distinguishes AI patients from healthy individuals, aiding in treatment assessment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Nuclear Cardiology
- Cardiac Physiology
Background:
- Pulsations in the ascending aorta are observed during fluoroscopy in patients with aortic insufficiency (AI).
- Similar phenomena have been noted in AI patients undergoing scintiangiography.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and quantitate aortic pulsations in AI patients using scintiangiography.
- To introduce a technique for validating and measuring this finding.
- To assess the utility of aortic ejection fraction (AEF) in evaluating AI.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen patients with AI and 14 controls underwent first-pass scintiangiography.
- Regions of interest were defined over the proximal aorta during systole and diastole.
- Aortic ejection fraction (AEF) was calculated and correlated with AI presence.
Main Results:
- Mean AEF was significantly higher in AI patients (27.1 ± 7.2%) compared to controls (12.0 ± 6.5%, p < .001).
- An AEF threshold of 18% demonstrated 88% sensitivity, 86% specificity, and 87% accuracy for AI detection.
- AI patients undergoing valve replacement showed a mean AEF reduction of 12.2 percentage points.
Conclusions:
- AEF derived from scintiangiography is a valuable quantitative parameter for AI.
- This method effectively differentiates AI patients from healthy individuals.
- AEF may serve as a useful indicator for hemodynamic changes post-aortic valve replacement in AI patients.