Assessment of left ventricular function from M‐mode measurement of circumflex artery motion recorded by coronary angiography

Objective—To evaluate the usefulness of M‐mode measurement of circumflex artery motion (CAM) for assessment of left ventricular (LV) function. Design—Seventy‐two patients referred for coronary angiography and LV angiography were included. Ejection fraction (EF) was calculated from LV angiography and systolic and diastolic parameters of CAM were measured by M‐mode from coronary angiography. Twenty‐three patients, examined by echocardiography of mitral annulus motion (MAM) within 24 h before the angiographic examination, formed a subgroup for comparison between angiographic M‐mode of CAM and echocardiographic M‐mode of MAM. Results—In addition to previous reported CAM amplitude and longitudinal fractional shortening (FS L ) the maximal systolic velocity of CAM can be reliably recorded by M‐mode. The diastolic indices, atrial contribution to the total amplitude and maximal early and late diastolic velocities, are also well monitored by M‐mode of CAM in comparison with echocardiographic MAM. Conclusion—LV sys...