Measurement of ventricular volume in man.

SINCE THE INITIAL observations of William Harvey and the physiologic studies of Ernest Starling, the importance of changes in volume in the ventricles of the heart has been recognized. In physiologic and clinical studies of the heart, measurements of chamber pressure and cardiac output have been more easily obtained than volume, and only in recent years have methods been developed for the estimation of ventricular volume in man. The measurement of ventricular volume not only can be related to other physiologic events in the cardiac cycle but also permits comparison of cardiac function in various pathologic conditions of the heart. In this manner information on venticular volume and the derived parameters of cardiac function have contributed to the understanding of clinical heart disease. The two basic clinical methods for the estimation of left ventricular volume in man include the angiocardiographic technique and the indicator washout technique.1-7 In the quantitative angiographic method, cardiac catheterization is performed and contrast material injected into the left ventricle or left side of the circulation with rapid biplane filming and simultaneous recording of the electrocardiogram and pressure. Filming of the opacified left ventricle at a rate determined by the radiographic equipment utilized is generally carried out over a period of 4-6