Cardiac chamber volumes, function, and mass as determined by 64-multidetector row computed tomography: mean values among healthy adults free of hypertension and obesity.
OBJECTIVE
We derived mean values for cardiac dimensions, volumes, function, and mass in a normotensive nonobese population free of cardiovascular disease.


BACKGROUND
Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) permits study of cardiac chamber size, function, and mass. Age- and gender-specific mean values are not available.


METHODS
A total of 103 normotensive, nonobese adults (43% women, age 51 +/- 14 years) who presented consecutively to 2 medical centers for clinically indicated MDCTs with neither history of nor MDCT evidence of significant cardiovascular disease were studied for left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) end-systolic (ES) and end-diastolic (ED) linear dimensions and volumes; LV and RV ejection fraction (EF), and LV mass (LVM); and left atrial (LA) and right atrial (RA) end-systolic volumes (LAESV and RAESV, respectively) by 1-dimensional (1D), 2-dimensional (2D), and 3-dimensional (3D) measurements.


RESULTS
The LV volumes using 3D techniques were lower than 2D techniques (LVEDV mean 144 +/- 71 ml vs. 150 +/- 70 ml), with higher LVEF (63 +/- 15% vs. 57 +/- 13%) (p < 0.001 for both). Mean LVM/height(2.7) was 24.3 +/- 11.0 g/m(2.7) and mean relative wall thickness was 0.16 to 0.44. Evaluation by 20 versus 10 cardiac phases resulted in higher LVEF (mean difference: 3.4 +/- 9.0%, p < 0.001). For LVEDV, interobserver (r = 0.99, p < 0.001) and intraobserver (r(2) = 0.97, p < 0.001) correlations were high. Mean RVEDV was 82 +/- 57 ml and RVEF was 58 +/- 16. The LAESV determined by 3D techniques was higher than by that determined by 2D methods (102 +/- 48 ml vs. 87 +/- 57 ml, p = 0.0003). The RAESV determined by 3D techniques was 111.9 +/- 29.1 ml. The LV size and LVM were greater in men than in women (p < 0.01). The LV size declined with age (p < 0.01), but LVM did not.


CONCLUSIONS
This study establishes age- and gender-specific values for LV, RV, LA, and RA size, function, and mass in adults free of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and obesity using 1D, 2D, and 3D methods. These data can be used as a reference for future MDCT studies.
Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York 10021, USA.
Fay Y
FY
Lin
Richard B
RB
Devereux
Mary J
MJ
Roman
Joyce
J
Meng
Veronica M
VM
Jow
Avrum
A
Jacobs
Jonathan W
JW
Weinsaft
Leslee J
LJ
Shaw
Daniel S
DS
Berman
Tracy Q
TQ
Callister
James K
JK
Min
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016279:Atrial Function, Left; D016280:Atrial Function, Right; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D009929:Organ Size; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012015:Reference Standards; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors; D013318:Stroke Volume; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right