Evaluation of visually estimated ejection fraction: Comparison with biplane two- and three-dimensional echocardiography and helical computed tomography

The purpose of this study was to evaluate visually estimated ejection fraction (EF)by comparing it with EF measured by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE-EF). Ninety-seven patients with sinus rhythm (aged 62. 9± 13. 9 years) werestudied, including 21 patients whose EF was evaluated by helical computed tomography (HCT-EF). 3DE-EF was significantlycorrelated with HCT-EF(r=0. 92, 95% CI=7. 7± 14. 9%)In comparison with 3DE-EF as the gold standard, visual EF had a better correlation (r=0. 88, 95% CI=- 2. 0± 13. 5%)than bp-EF (r=0. 83, 95% CI=0. 1± 14. 2%)in subjects with left ventricular (LV) asynergy. These findings suggest that 3 DE-EF or visual EF would be more appropriate than bp-EF in evaluating EF in patients with LV asynergy. Visual EF would be more practical because of its facility. However, visual EF requires a technician with a certain degree of experience.