Quantitative studies of left ventricular function using 2-dimensional echocardiography have been limited because of a lack of computerized methods to automatically analyze the echocardiographic images. Previous computer efforts have been directed at digitizing the video output of the 2-D echocardiogram, but this digitizing method has significant limitations. A direct digitization method that produces improvement in signal-to-noise ratio and, subsequently, improved automatic detection of endocardial and epicardial borders, was developed. With definition of these edges, left ventricular global and regional analysis is possible frame by frame so that dynamic changes in cardiac function may be assessed throughout the cardiac cycle. Further technologic advances in 2-D echocardiographic acquisition and image processing should allow computer processing of 2-D echocardiographic data in real time.