The purpose of the study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of two-dimensional echocardiography (2dE) in the detection of impaired left ventricular function, compared with cineventriculography (CVG). Apical two-dimensional echocardiograms were performed in 110 patients undergoing heart catheterization for the evaluation of clinically suspected coronary heart disease (50 patients), valvular heart disease (38 patients) and congestive cardiomyopathy (22 patients). The left ventricle was scanned in the RAO-equivalent view; cineventriculograms were filmed in the 30 degrees RAO projection. Left ventricular volumes at end-diastole (EDV) and end-systole (ESV) were determined using a disc method; stroke volume (SV) and ejection fraction (EF) were calculated. Based on normal values, the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy were determined for two-dimensional echocardiography. For EDV, the sensitivity was 80%, specificity 88% and (+) predictive accuracy 86%. The left ventricular ejection fraction was 57.8 +/- 17.2% with CVG and 53.8 +/- 15.6% with 2dE in patients with coronary heart disease, 24.9 +/- 10.5% with CVG and 25.2 +/- 11.1% with 2dE in patients with congestive cardiomyopathy, and 61.1 +/- 13.9% with CVG and 54.2 +/- 9.1% with 2dE in patients with valvular heart disease. Sensitivity was 81%, specificity 100%, and (+) predictive accuracy 100%. The study demonstrates that impaired left ventricular function can be detected by 2dE with high sensitivity and specificity. Thus, 2dE seems to be suitable screening method for evaluation of left ventricular function.