INTRACARDIAC VERSUS TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC IMAGING OF TRANSLATION AND ROTATION OF LEFT-VENTRICULAR CENTER OF CAVITY AREA IN DOGS

Measurement of left ventricular (LV) volume and ejection fraction usin g catheter-based intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is feasible and h as been previously validated.(1-3) The technique may provide an altern ative to left ventriculography in patients undergoing coronary angiogr aphy but who are at increased risk for contrast-related adverse effect s.(2) In addition to ejection fraction estimation, regional wall motio n analysis is important since regional LV dysfunction may be present d espite normal overall ejection fraction. Because the quantitation of r egional function may require correction for extrinsic motion of the ca vity area center from end-diastole to end-systole,(4) it is important to evaluate translation and rotation of the left ventricle that occurs during echocardiography, Our purpose therefore was to compare the mot ion of the LV cavity center during the cardiac cycle by ICE and transt horacic echocardiography.