Circumflex artery motion; a new angiographic method for assessment of left ventricular function

Objective-To evaluate the usefulness of circumflex artery motion (CAM) for assessment of left ventricular (LV) function. Design-Seventy-three consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography and LV angiography were included. Ejection fraction (EF) was calculated from LV angiography and CAM was measured from coronary angiography. Results-The ratio between CAM and the end-diastolic length of the ventricle, which can be denominated long-axis fractional shortening (FSL), was found to be a better index of LV function than CAM per se. There was a significant linear correlation between EF and FSL (r = 0.81, SEE = 8.2, p < 0.001). When values of FSL &GE; 10% were selected to define a normal EF (&GE; 50%) there was a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 93%. Visual estimation of EF from CAM was not as good as the use of calculated FSL but may me useful as a fast screening method. Conclusion-LV systolic function can be assessed by studying CAM recorded by coronary angiography.