Measurement of left ventricular function by digital substraction angiography

Twenty-one patients with cardiovascular diseases underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and left ventricular cineangiography (LVA). The highest correlation between DSA and LVA was observed in ejection fraction, followed by left ventricular endsystolic volume, left ventricular enddiastolic volume, stroke volume, and cardiac output. DSA was capable of calculating these parameters for left ventricular wall motion (LVWM) readily. DSA was useful when LVA could not be undertaken because of various reasons. Image quality of DSA was occasionally inferior due to patient motion and respiration. DSA failed to evaluate LVWM when the position of the aortic valve was not clear. DSA has limitations for quantitative evaluation of LVWM. (Namekawa, K.)