Comparison of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Calculation Methods

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has been used for many years to assess left ventricular systolic function. Over time, patients may have LVEF measurements performed with the use of different imaging modalities. It is important for the clinician to appreciate how these different methods compare with each other. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation among three such LVEF measurement methods: two echocardiographic methods (Teichholz and Quinones) and gated thallium three‐dimensional (3‐D) scintigraphic method. Eighteen patients underwent both echocardiographic and nuclear imaging studies. The nuclear and echo images were completed within 1 hour of each other. The Teichholz method resulted in consistently larger LVEF estimates but correlated well with the Quinones method (r = 0.88, SEE = 8.41). The Teichholz method did not correlate well with the gated thallium 3‐D method and again gave consistently larger estimates that were even higher than when compared with the Quinones method (r = 0.7, SEE = 12.6). The Quinones method and gated thallium 3‐D method correlated well (r = 0.87, SEE = 9.6) and gave a line of best fit close to the line of identity. In conclusion, the Teichholz method consistently overestimates LVEF compared with the Quinones and gated thallium 3‐D methods. The Quinones echocardiographic and gated thallium 3‐D methods appear to result in similar absolute LVEF measurements.