Determinants of left ventricular ejection fraction by ultrafast computed tomography

Twenty-seven patients had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measured by catheterization, single-plane angiography, and ultrafast computed tomography (cine CT). Twelve patients (mean age sixty-two years) had LVEF measured by use of the cine CT long-axis view LAV), and 15 patients (mean age fifty-eight years) had LVEF measured by use of the cine CT transaxial view (TAV). Cine CT LVEF was measured by means of two methods of edge detection (M1 and M2). A significant correlation was found between single-plane angiography and cine CT LAV LVEF (M1, r = .96; M2, r = .93). A lesser correlation was found for catheterization vs TAV cine CT LVEF (M1, r = .77; M2, r = .81). There was no significant difference between the two methods of edge detection for determining LVEF (M1 vs M2: LAV, r = .98; TAV, r = .94); however, there was significant variability in cavity volumes. Therefore, the LAV is superior to the TAV for measurement of LVEF by cine CT; however, different methods of edge detection, though affecting volumes, may not affect LVEF.