[Comparison of 14 methods for analysing left ventricle segmental kinetics by cineangiography]

Fourteen methods of analysing left ventricular wall motion on 30 degrees right anterior oblique left ventricular cineangiography were compared in 70 cases using a HP 9845 B computer. The methods included the superposition of the centres of gravity, perpendicular to the long axis, Leighton's Rickard 's, Ingels ' and others to determine the influence of the use of different anatomical points of reference on the results. A score was given for each programme in comparison with three groups of normal angiography, anterior infarction and inferior infarction limited to a single zone with no lesion on the opposite coronary artery. The score was the ratio of radial shortening of normal wall motion to that of the infarcted wall. The fourteen methods were divided into 4 groups according to the type of infarct studied (anterior or inferior) and according to the use of either percentage radial shortening or the ratio of the surfaces described by these radii and the systolic and diastolic contours. The results underlined the importance of the anatomical references : aortic orifice and apex for centering systolic and diastolic contours. The methods which did not take these factors into account or which did not correct for them in diastole and systole gave poor results. The centre of gravity of the systolic contour was also an unreliable reference point. The three methods which gave the best results, independent of the site of infarction or the method of calculation (ratio of the radii or surfaces) were all based on the long axis from the aortic orifice to the apex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)