Variability of echocardiographic measures of left ventricular diastolic function. The HUNT study

Abstract Objective Investigate variability related to image acquisition and reading process for echocardiographic measures of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, its influence on classification LV dysfunction (LVDD). Methods Forty participants (19 women) mean age 62 (28–88) years underwent examinations twice by different echocardiographers blinded analyses four readers in a cross‐sectional design. Measurements included quantification two‐ (2D) three‐dimensional (3D) recordings the atrium (LA) (maximal) volume (LAV max ) spectral Doppler blood flow tissue velocities assessment function. Variability reproducibility were calculated using variance component Kappa statistics. Results Image influenced more than (mean 24% 4% variance, respectively), but from was especially important 2D LAV (16% variance) compared 3D , which reflected better agreement measures. The used LVDD had clinical significance, across raters current recommendations only fair (Kappa 0.42), improved when 0.58). Agreement reliability reported all Conclusion Performing new introducing reader, there differences is superior with respect lower variability. influences classification, this should be taken into account everyday clinic.