Electromechanical mapping of regional left ventricular function in humans:Comparison with echocardiography

A catheter-based method of mapping left ventricular electromechanical regio nal function may be used to optimize application of local myocardial therap ies by demarcating zones of ischemia or infarction, We thus performed a det ailed comparison between electromechanical parameters and segmental functio n as assessed by echocardiography in 10 patients (3 with normal ventricles and 7 with old infarcts). Using a 16-segment model, unipolar voltage and lo cal shortening were significantly and independently related to echo score b y multivariate analysis, having a concordance with echo score of 73% for sh ortening and 79% for voltage. Area under ROC curves, expressing the ability to differentiate normal from abnormal segments, had values of 0.75 and 0.8 1 for local shortening and unipolar voltage, respectively. In conclusion, a utomatic assessment of regional ventricular function can be achieved indepe ndently by electrical and mechanical parameters, compared with echocardiogr aphy, permitting an integrated approach to the evaluation of ventricular fu nction and aiding localization of catheter-based therapies. (C) 2000 Wiley- Liss. Inc.