Quantitative angiographic evaluation in left ventricular aneurysm.

Abstract

A new method was used for the quantitative analysis of left ventricular angiography in 22 patients with an anterior aneurysm. The line of demarcation between the aneurysm (A) and the remaining myocardium (RM) was determined accurately by looking at a sudden change in the percentage of shortening of two contiguous half-axes, the left ventricular cavity being divided by 19 parallel and equidistant axes. The total volume of the left ventricle, the volume of the A and that of the RM were calculated using a method derived from Chapman's method. Total ejection fraction, ejection fraction and VCF of the RM were also calculated. A comparison was made between patients with heart failure (Group I) and those without (Group II). In Group I, the A was much larger (P less than 0.01) but volume, ejection fraction and VCF of the RM, were not significantly different, indicating that the surgical resection should give a favorable result. The validity of this method of quantitative analysis was confirmed by a comparison of the calculated preoperative remaining left ventricular volume with the volume of the postoperative cavity in 8 patients. These measurements lead to a better evaluation of patients with ventricular aneurysm in view of selection for surgery.