Factor analysis model of left ventricular function based on Doppler echocardiographic data

The left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function was examined by using Doppler echocardiographic data on 108 normal patients. A factor analysis model has been developed to explain the LV functions. 3-3 systolic and diastolic factors were determined by using a factor extraction process from nine systolic and ten diastolic parameters. The first systolic factor correlates to the acceleration, the second to the deceleration, and the third to the PEP/LVET (pre-ejection period/LV ejection time). The first diastolic factor is associated with the early and late filling rate and the isovolumic relaxation period, the second with the late and the third with the early diastolic parameters. On the basis of a determination of the factor scores using the Harman regression method the discriminative values of the factors were analyzed in various heart diseases. An IBM SPSS/PC V3.0 named `Factor´ was used for the factor analysis