Direct Correlation of External Systolic Time Intervals with Internal Indices of Left Ventricular Function in Man

Direct correlation of externally measured systolic time intervals with internally measured indices was obtained using catheter-tip micromanometers in six patients who had normal coronary arteriograms. Simultaneous recordings were made of central aorta and left ventricular pressure, maximum rate of rise in left ventricular pressure (dp/dt), external carotid pulse, external and internal sound, and electrocardiogram. Acute interventions were used to vary the indices by a variety of mechanisms including changes in contractility, preload, afterload, and heart rate. The initial values and the changes in these values produced by acute interventions are identical for left ventricular ejection time (LVET) whether measured externally (range 175 to 385 msec) or internally (range 169 to 392), r = 0.99. Although the absolute values differed for internally measured isovolumic contraction time (internal ICT), externally measured ICT, and preejection time (PEP), there was good linear correlation between the changes obser...