Assessment of left ventricular function from M‐mode measurement of circumflex artery motion recorded by coronary angiography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of M-mode measurement of circumflex artery motion (CAM) for assessment of left ventricular (LV) function. DESIGN: Seventy-two patients referred for coronary angiography and LV angiography were included. Ejection fraction (EF) was calculated from LV angiography and systolic and diastolic parameters of CAM were measured by M-mode from coronary angiography. Twenty-three patients, examined by echocardiography of mitral annulus motion (MAM) within 24 h before the angiographic examination, formed a subgroup for comparison between angiographic M-mode of CAM and echocardiographic M-mode of MAM. RESULTS: In addition to previous reported CAM amplitude and longitudinal fractional shortening (FSL) the maximal systolic velocity of CAM can be reliably recorded by M-mode. The diastolic indices, atrial contribution to the total amplitude and maximal early and late diastolic velocities, are also well monitored by M-mode of CAM in comparison with echocardiographic MAM. CONCLUSION: LV systolic and diastolic function can be assessed by M-mode of CAM.