Comparison between factor analysis of dynamic structures and Fourier analysis in detection of segmental wall motion abnormalities: a clinical evaluation.

To evaluate Factor Analysis of Dynamic Structures (FADS) versus or in association with other methods, a protocol was set up including as 'gold standard' investigation the left ventricular angiography (LVA) and processing by Fourier Analysis (FA), and FADS with different variants. To refine the diagnosis of Regional Wall Motion Abnormalities (RWMA), processing was done on a sectorial basis for more accurate spatial localization and functional description. 53 patients were studied (8 normal, 45 with coronary artery disease). FADS gave better results than FA on a sectorial basis. Total agreement between FADS and LVA was obtained in 208/265 (78%), while FA was in agreement with LVA in only 167/265 segments (63%). Globally, FADS was significantly better than FA (Z-test: p < 0.05). When only the diagnosis of maximal abnormality was considered, FA and FADS are statistically equivalent. The superiority of FADS vs FA is more obvious in the diagnosis of hypokinesia. Most FA discrepancies corresponded to underestimation of WMA.