[Measurement of left ventricular filling by automated contour tracking method in echocardiography: comparison with radionuclide ventriculography].

Recent development of an automated contour tracking (ACT) method using the energy minimization principle provides automated edge detection and tracking of the endocardial boundary of the left ventricle, without tracing a region of interest. This study determined whether left ventricular filling indexes obtained from the ACT method provide a reliable estimate of left ventricular diastolic filling. Fourteen patients were examined by the ACT method and equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography. The volume-time wave form for ACT measurements was obtained from the 4-chamber views. Peak filling rate and time to peak filling rate measured by the ACT method were compared with those determined by radionuclide ventriculography. Peak filling rate and time to peak filling rate by the ACT method were closely correlated with those determined by radionuclide ventriculography (peak filling rate: r = 0.88, y = 0.71x + 0.36, SEE = 0.54 ml/end-diastolic volume/sec, time to peak filling rate: r = 0.89, y = 0.72x + 30.0, SEE = 0.02 msec, respectively) The ACT method is useful for the assessment of left ventricular diastolic filling.