Problem of implicit assumptions about left ventricular geometry in the calculation of myocardial mass by echocardiography – a validation study with cardiac magnetic resonance

Abstract Background/Introduction Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is regarded as the reference method in assessing left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass. However, 2-dimensional echocardiography (Echo) still used due to availability and practicability. Purpose We sought assess measurements of LV mass from Echo exams validate results with CMR on a large cohort patients. Methods analyzed 357 patients who underwent clinically indicated examinations performed standard at same day. In Echo, commonly Devereux formula (CUBE) was assessed for calculation mass: 0.8 × {1.04 [([LV end-diastolic diameter + diastolic septum-thickness posterior wall-thickness]3 − diameter3)]} 0.6. Mass indexed body surface area (g/m2). Correlation (r), regression (R2) Bland-Altman analysis were order bias between two methods. Significance defined 2-tailed P value <0.05. Results measured 345 Echo. The median age 61 years [19–79], 44% female coronary artery diseases (45%), suspected or florid myocarditis (31%) further diagnosis non-ischemic heart failure (24%). ejection fraction (EF) ranged 13 71%. found significant relation (R2=0.6, p<0.001) (Figure 1, left). there proportional (R2=0.47, depending amount right). As expected, measurement correlated not only mean wall-thickness (septum & wall) but also (r=−0.55 −0.41, p<0.001 all). Interestingly, EF reversely (r=0.34, p<0.001). Conclusion provided by our study, highlight problem implicit assumptions geometry compared CMR. Furthermore, strongly biased differences these methods are negligible warrant investigation. Funding Acknowledgement Type funding sources: None.