Echocardiographic systolic time intervals. Left ventricular performance in coronary artery disease

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Abstract
The ratio of the preejection period to the left ventricular ejection time (PEP/LVET), obtained from the aortic root echocardiogram, was studied immediately before and after left ventricular (LV) cineangiography in 23 patients with documented coronary artery disease. The initial PEP/LVET ratio was inversely related to LV ejection fraction (r [correlation coefficient] = -0.78 P .ltoreq. 0.001). Repeat measurements taken 60 s after angiography showed a significant decrease from a mean value of 0.36 .+-. 0.13-0.27 .+-. 0.08 (P .ltoreq. 0.005). When patients were divided into those with an initial PEP/LVET value above and below 0.40, those with a higher value showed a significantly greater decrease following contrast left ventriculography (mean decrease, 0.16, vs. 0.06, P .ltoreq. 0.01). Systolic time intervals derived from echocardiography are evidently a reliable noninvasive measure of LV function and ventricular function improves following left ventriculography, with the degree of improvement being inversely related to initial function.