[Left ventricular volumes by cross-sectional echocardiography in the dog: a comparison with biplane angiocardiography (author's transl)].

Using apical long axis and precordial short axis views, left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and ejection fraction were determined by cross-sectional echocardiography and compared with biplane angiocardiography. 10 anesthetized, closed chest dogs were first studied in the control state. Inferior vena cava was occluded by a balloon-inflated catheter, measurements were repeated. Descending aorta was blocked, with measurements retaken. Finally 8 dogs were studied after left coronary artery occlusion. For enddiastolic volumes correlation coefficients were 0.89, 0.93, 0.89, and 0.90 respectively (n = 10, 10, 10, 8; p less than 0.01). End-systolic volumes correlated with r 0.94, 0.92, 0.83, 0.92 (p less than 0.01). Left ventricular volumes were systematically underestimated by echocardiography (p less than 0.05). Ejection fraction corresponded less favourably, overall r was 0.85 (n = 38; p less than 0.01). Thus, cross-sectional echocardiography appears suitable for quantifying left ventricular volumes, less ejection fraction in the dog, during acute interventions as well as in the presence of regional dysfunction.