Global and regional parameters of left ventricular performance in healthy subjects during rest and exercise assessed by radionuclide ventriculography

The aim of our study was to analyze numerous global and regional parameters of left ventricular (LV) performance during rest and exercise, in the group of 14 healthy subjects, by quantitative gated equilibrium ventriculography in left anterior oblique view (45 degrees). The global LV parameters at rest vs. exercise in our study were: heart rate 68.9 +/- 18.4 vs. 137.5 +/- 38.6; systolic blood pressure (mmHg) 121.8 +/- 18.2 vs. 178.6 +/- 31.2; diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) 82.1 +/- 10.8 vs. 90.7 +/- 12.4; double product 8,368.6 +/- 2,308.8 vs. 24,589.3 +/- 8,357.8; global ejection fraction (%) 61.9 +/- 15.4 vs. 72.8 +/- 12.8, end-diastolic volume index (ml/m2) 82.5 +/- 23.2 vs. 96.9 +/- 27.8; end-systolic volume index (ml/m2) 31.8 +/- 19.8 vs. 26.9 +/- 15.4; stroke volume index (ml/m2) 50.6 +/- 17.6 vs. 70.0 +/- 22.6; peak emptying rate (EDV/s) 3.4 +/- 2.6 vs. 8.3 +/- 3.8 and peak filling rate (EDV/s) 3.6 +/- 2.6 vs. 9.6 +/- 3.8. A significant difference (p < 0.05) between rest and exercise was found for all parameters. The highest values of LV regional ejection fraction were found in anterolateral and posterolateral region, while the lowest values were observed in inferoseptal and inferior regions. During exercise a significant increase of regional ejection fraction was found in all regions. The highest percent of radius shortening during rest was in anterolateral and posterolateral regions, and lowest in inferoseptal and inferior regions. The same sequence was found during exercise, and the difference in percent of radius shortening, between rest and exercise was significant in all regions. The observed normal values of global and regional parameters of LV function during rest may serve as a contribution for referent values. Our results on regional ejection fraction and the percent of radius shortening in rest, and their change during exercise, offer the possibility of additional information in the investigation of cardiac patients by means of radionuclide ventriculography.