Differences between echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular dimensions and function by local investigators and a core laboratory in a 2-year follow-up study of patients with an acute myocardial infarction

To examine differences in measurements of left ventricular dimensions and function, and prognostic value between local investigators and a core laboratory in a multicentre serial echocardiographic study. Seven hundred and fifty-six patients with acute myocardial infarction and preserved left ventricular function were examined at baseline and after 3 months with measurements by the biplane Simpson's method, and followed prospectively from 3 to 24 months. At baseline and 3 months local investigators relative to the core laboratory measured lesser end-diastolic volume by 8 and 6 ml (P