Assessment of Contrast Ventriculography, 2D-Echocardiography and Radionuclide Ventriculography in the Diagnosis of Left Ventricular Aneurysm and Thrombus

Fifly (46 male and 4 female) patients, who had ischemic heart disease and left ventricular (LV) aneurysm as demonstrated by coronary angiography and contrast ventriculography (CV), were studied with radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) and two dimensional echocardiography (2DE) to determine the value of RNV and 2DE in disclosing LV aneurysm and thrombus within the aneurysm and to evaluate the global function as compared to CV findings. In patients who underwent operation, we investigated the reliability of CV RNV and 2DE in demonstrating LV ancurysm and thrombus. We found that though none of the techniques, including CV, was absolutely accurate in demonstrating LV ancurysm, RNV and 2DE had almost equal usefulness in this respect. RNV and CV showed strong correlation in the estimation of LV ejection fraction. Furthermore 2DE was more reliable than CV in demonstrating thrombus within the aneurysm.