Improved two-dimensional echocardiographic technique for left ventricular aneurysm detection

In order to determine the sensitivity and reproducibility of a new two-dimensional echocardiographic technique for detecting left ventricular aneurysms, 16 patients suspected of having aneurysms were evaluated prospectively. Left ventricular angiography demonstrated aneurysms in 15 of the 16 patients. All 15 were detected by two-dimensional echocardiography but three were identified only in a view rotated 45 degrees clockwise from the apical four-chamber view. The analysis of 16 wall segments for each patient showed excellent agreement between two observers. Therefore, two-dimensional echocardiography, utilizing four apical views 45 degrees apart, is reliable and reproducible for the detection of left ventricular aneurysms.