Angiographic Indicators of Left Ventricular Function

LEFT ventriculography has become an important part of the cardiac catheterization procedure. Visualization of the contracting left ventricular chamber makes it possible to assess many aspects of ventricular function: (1) Ventricular chamber size and the fraction of blood ejected from the ventricle with each systole can be quantitated; (2) the thickness and mass of left ventricular myocardium can be measured; (3) regurgitant leaks of the mitral valve can be visualized, valvular anatomy defined, and regurgitant flows quantitated; and (4) segmental abnormalities of ventricular wall motion resulting from coronary artery disease can be readily visualized. Methods Left ventriculograms are obtained by positioning the tip of a catheter within the left ventricular cavity. Fifty to sixty cubic centimeters of radiopaque contrast medium is injected by a power injector under high pressures in three to five seconds to deliver a bolus into the ventricular cavity that is sufficient to opacify the chamber for