Value of polycardiographic investigations as compared with direct methods in evaluation of left ventricular function in ischemic heart disease.

In 69 patients with ischemic heart disease the left ventricular functional state, especially contraction disturbances, was assessed by means of direct methods and polycardiographic measurements. The patients were divided into groups depending on the number of vessels affected by atheromatosis. In direct measurements the following values were determined: the rate of rise of intraventricular pressure--dP/dt max., the interval t-dP/dt max, the index (see article). In polycardiographic determinations the isovolumetric contraction time (ICI), the pre-ejection period (PEP) and the coefficient consisting of PEP in the numerator and ejection time (ET) in the denominator (PEP/ET) were calculated. The degree of changes in direct and polycardiographic parameters depended on the number of vessels affected by the atherosclerotic process. The index (see article) was most sensitive to changes in the contractility. The correlation was statistically significant for all parameters compared in the group of patients with lesions in three coronary arteries and myocardial infarction. In the remaining groups the correlations differed and a statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between particular parameters. The correlation was best between direct measurements and ICT and the PEP/ET index.