Computerized left ventricular pressure-volume relationships (pV-loops) using disposable angiographic tip transducer pigtail catheters

Left ventricular pressure-volume relationships expressed as pV loops could yield important hemodynamic information in the cardiac catheterization labo ratory. Many clinical situations might benefit from a quantitative assessme nt of left ventricular function. Potential applications of pV loops include the assessment of vasoactive and inotropic drugs, balloon valvuloplasty, c oronary angioplasty, and surgical treatment of valvular heart disease. For many years the clinical use of pV loops has been hindered by logistical dif ficulties. The ability to merge on-line concurrent digital imaging data for computation of left ventricular volume and digital left ventricular pressu re wave forms obtained from high fidelity tip-transducer angiocatheters has allowed us to develop a technique which can generate pV loops during cardi ac catheterization procedures. The method offers an automated measurement o f left ventricular volume independent of edge detection or an interactive t echnique for tracing endocardial borders by a trained operator. Illustrativ e case studies are included to demonstrate the potential of the method duri ng ventricular angiographic procedures. Implementation and computational ti me requirements of the method are discussed. The concept and the value of p V loop generation to study left ventricular performance has been known for many years. Combining digital imaging and digital physiologic data obtained with disposable tip-transducer angiocatheters with modern networking techn ology, the technique can more easily be applied to catheterization procedur es and could enhance invasive hemodynamic assessment of left ventricular fu nction.