[Gated blood pool studies with a single probe--clinical validity (author's transl)]

The global volume alterations of the heart can be estimated non-invasively by means of the "radiocardiographic function analysis" developed by Hoffmann and Kleine. Since the failing heart with its functional disturbances demonstrates a pathological volume behavior under physical exercise, it is possible to use these characteristic to differentiate between the intact heart and the failing heart by registration of the global volume alterations. The "gated blood pool technique" combined with the registration of the intraventricular pressure pulse by means of a Swan-Ganz flow-directed catheter enables demonstration of ventricular stroke work as a pressure-volume loop (work diagram). Its shape indicates whether the ventricle has to perform mainly pressure work or volume work. Myocardial failure is altering the basic conditions of the heart. The work diagram of the failing heart is significantly different from that of the intact human heart. It is shifted in its pressure-volume coordinates according to an increase of EDV and ESV and the rise of the filling pressure. Case demonstrations reveal the global volume behaviour of the heart under varying conditions: resting and physical exercise, drug influence on the intact and failing heart.