EJECTION FRACTION BY COUNT RATE FROM GATED IMAGES

Abstract

Left-ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) was determined [in humans] from ECG-gated [scintigraphic] images of the cardiac blood pool, by computing the relative change in net LV counts occurring in these images during systole. EF obtained with this method gave satisfactory interobserver agreement in 20 studies reviewed by 3 independent observers (average r = 0.95) and also compared favorably with EF obtained by contrast ventriculography in 39 patients (r = 0.92). The technique appears suitable for use in the evaluation of systolic function in patients with heart disease.