MYOCARDIAL FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Left ventricular function curves were constructed in 42 patients (18 normal, 5 with myocardial disease and 19 with coronary artery disease) by determining the responses to graded infusions of angiotensin. The curves were compared to standard methods of hemodynamic evaluation. The patients with coronary artery disease were in a wide range of functional categories with no consistent correlation between anatomic changes (determined angiographically) and left ventricular function. However, an abnormal left ventricular end-diastolic pressure or left ventricular cineangiogram always meant poor function, but abnormal reserve could be detected when these two measures were normal. The angiotensin infusion test proved to be safe and rapid in patients with coronary artery disease and is valuable in the preoperative assessment of left ventricular function, since standard objective measurements may be misleading. It can also provide an objective measurement in the patient after operation. © 1969.