Comparison between circumflex artery motion and mitral annulus motion

Objective-To compare mitral annulus motion (MAM) with circumflex artery mot ion (CXM) and the motion amplitude at an endocardial site (representing MAM ) with an epicardial site (representing CXM) at the most basal, lateral par t of the atrioventricular plane (AVP). Design-MAM and CXM were obtained, in 28 patients examined by echocardiograp hy and coronary angiography. The motion amplitude epicardially and endocard ially was recorded by echocardiography in 13 patients, with normal ejection . fraction (EF) (greater than or equal to0.50) and in 13 patients with decr eased EF (<0.50). Results-CXM was higher than MAM in most patients with normal EF but lower t han MAM in most patients with decreased EF. The motion amplitude epicardial ly was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than endocardially in patients zn w ith normal ER, while there was no significant difference in patients with d ecreased EF. Conclusion-CXM represents the motion of the epicardial part of the AVP and differs from MAM, which represents the endocardial part of the wall. This m ust be considered when CXM is used for assessment of left ventricular systo lic function.