title: Normal values of regional left ventricular myocardial thickness, mass and distribution-assessed by 320-detector computed tomography angiography in the Copenhagen General Population Study.
abstract: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is associated with cardiovascular complications and the geometry is important for prognosis. In some cardiovascular diseases, myocardial hypertrophy or dilation occurs regionally without modifying the global size of the heart. It is therefore relevant to determine regional normal reference values of the left ventricle. The aim of this study was to derive reference values of regional LV myocardial thickness (LVMT) and mass (LVMM) from a healthy study group of the general population using cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA). We wanted to introduce LV myocardial distribution (LVMD) as a measure of regional variation of the LVMT. Moreover, we wanted to determine whether these parameters varied between men and women. We studied 568 (181 men; 32%) adults, free of cardiovascular disease and risk factors, who underwent 320-detector CCTA. Mean age was 55 (range 40-84) years. Regional LVMT and LVMM were measured, according to the American Heart Association's 17 segment model, using semi-automatic software. Mean LVMT were 6.6 mm for men and 5.4 mm for women (p < 0.001). The normal LV was thickest in the basal septum (segment 3; men = 8.3 mm; women = 7.2 mm) and thinnest in the mid-ventricular anterior wall (segment 7; men = 5.6 mm; women = 4.5 mm) for both men and women. However, the regional LVMD differed between men and women, with the LV being most heterogenic in women. The normal human LV is morphologically heterogenic, and showed same overall pattern but different regional distribution for men and women. This study introduces LVMD and provides gender specific reference values for regional LVMT, LVMM, and LVMD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. louisehindsoe@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hindsø
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jørgen Tobias
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Kühl
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Emma Julia P
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Per Ejlstrup
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Sigvardsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Køber
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry and the Copenhagen General Population Study, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Børge G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Nordestgaard
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.|Department of Radiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Klaus Fuglsang
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Kofoed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D000072226:Computed Tomography Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Cardiovascular computed tomography; Dimensions; Healthy population; Left ventricular myocardium; Reference values