Improved left ventricular ejection fraction directly after transluminal coronary angioplasty

: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) at rest can improve already during the first 4 h after successful transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Measurements were carried out with the CardioScint LV Function Monitor Version 1.3. Comparison of ejection fraction values evaluated by the CardioScint Monitor revealed a good correlation with usual equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (n = 28; r = 0.89). Also, intra- and interobserver variability was low (n = 26; r = 0.94 and n = 21; r = 0.92 respectively). Two hundred follow-up-measurements in eight patients over a time period of 4 h revealed a significant decrease of EF from 45 +/- 12% to 39 +/- 18% (p = 0.037) (reference group). This decrease was due to a continuous increase of background activity. The study population consisted of 14 patients with successful PTCA (dilatation from 85 +/- 7 to 34 +/- 9% linear vessel diameter). To evaluate the hemodynamic significance of the coronary lesion, left ventricular ejection fraction was registered during the balloon occlusion of the vessel. After dilatation, 25 EF measurements were carried out in each patient over the following 4 h (350 values). During PTCA, EF decreased from 52 +/- 16 to 37 +/- 9% (p = 0.0027). During the 4-h follow-up EF slightly decreased from 50 +/- 8 to 46 +/- 9% (p = 0.07).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)