Right ventricular pressure-volume loop in man by densitometric analysis of digital subtraction ventriculograms

Densitometric analysis of digital subtraction right ventriculograms was used to assess volume changes of the right ventricle during the entire cardiac cycle with high spatial and temporal resolution and without any geometric assumption. It was also used to measure several parameters of systolic and diastolic right ventricular function. Among these parameters, peak filling rate and ejection fraction appear sensitive to small nitroglycerin-induced changes in loading conditions. In addition, a pressure-volume loop is reconstructed showing the pressure-volume relation of the right ventricle during the entire cardiac cycle and allowing determination of stroke work and chamber stiffness constant