Evaluation of Systolic and Diastolic LV Function

Abstract

The severity of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction is a strong predictor of the clinical outcome for a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. Assessment of LV function is probably the most frequently requested indication to perform echocardiography and is an integral part of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radionuclide studies. Visual estimates of global and regional function are supplemented by quantitative analysis of function. LV function is evaluated best from multiple tomographic planes, typically including parasternal long-axis, parasternal short-axis, apical 4-chamber, apical 2-chamber, and apical long-axis views. Systolic function relates to the function during the interval of the cardiac cycle lasting from mitral valve closure to aortic valve closure. LV diameters as well as ejection fraction and related volumes are the parameters normally determined to give a description of global LV function.