Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Javier et al. Fractal behaviour of the left ventricle during heart dynamics. Rev. Col. Cardiol. [online]. 2006, vol.13, n.3, pp.165-170. ISSN 0120-5633.

Fractal geometry is the geometry that objectively characterizes the degrees of irregularity of natural objects. On the other hand, fractal dimensions allow defining mathematically the irregularity of natural forms such as those of the heart structures. The left ventricle is studied through ventriculography, and by the application of fractal geometry to this exam, it is possible to calculate the degree of irregularity in an objective and reproducible way in any patient. From 17 ventriculographies, 6 from patients with normal ejection fraction and 11 with ejection fraction <40%, with diagnosis of severe ventricular involvement, a quantitative measurement from the ventriculographies was developed in which the degrees of similarity between the fractal dimensions of the left ventricles’ silhouettes during heart dynamics in systole, diastole and in the whole cycle, were evaluated. It was observed that the degree of similarity between the fractal dimensions of the comparisons made in the silhouette of a healthy ventricle vary between 2(0.9) and 2(10), whereas those of a ventricle with an ejection fraction < 40% is between 2(10) and 2(500) at least in one of the comparisons realized.

Keywords : left ventriculography; fractal; fractal dimension.

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