Left Ventricle

Left Ventricular Mass and Geometry

Reference limits and partition values of left ventricular mass and geometryASE
  Women Men
Reference
range
Mildly
abnormal
Moderately
abnormal
Severely
abnormal
Reference
range
Mildly
abnormal
Moderately
abnormal
Severely
abnormal
Linear Method
LV mass, g 67–162 163–186 187–210 ≥211 88–224 225–258 259–292 ≥293
LV mass/BSA, g/m2 43–95 96–108 109–121 ≥122 49–115 116–131 132–148 ≥149
LV mass/height, g/m 41–99 100–115 116–128 ≥129 52–126 127–144 145–162 ≥163
LV mass/height2, g/m2 18–44 45–51 52–58 ≥59 20–48 49–55 56–63 ≥64
Relative wall thickness, cm 0.22–0.42 0.43–0.47 0.48–0.52 ≥0.53 0.24–0.42 0.43–0.46 0.47–0.51 ≥0.52
Septal thickness, cm 0.6–0.9 1.0–1.2 1.3–1.5 ≥1.6 0.6–1.0 1.1–1.3 1.4–1.6 ≥1.7
Posterior wall thickness, cm 0.6–0.9 1.0–1.2 1.3–1.5 ≥1.6 0.6–1.0 1.1–1.3 1.4–1.6 ≥1.7
2D Method
LV mass, g 66–150 151–171 172–182 >193 96–200 201–227 228–254 >255
LV mass/BSA, g/m2 44–88 89–100 101–112 ≥113 50–102 103–116 117–130 ≥131
  • BSA, Body surface area; LV, left ventricular; 2D, 2-dimensional.
  • Green values: Recommended and best validated.

Left Ventricular Size

Reference limits and partition values of left ventricular sizeASE
  Women Men
Reference
range
Mildly
abnormal
Moderately
abnormal
Severely
abnormal
Reference
range
Mildly
abnormal
Moderately
abnormal
Severely
abnormal
LV dimension
LV diastolic diameter 3.9–5.3 5.4–5.7 5.8–6.1 ≥6.2 4.2–5.9 6.0–6.3 6.4–6.8 ≥6.9
LV diastolic diameter/BSA, cm/m2 2.4–3.2 3.3–3.4 3.5–3.7 ≥3.8 2.2–3.1 3.2–3.4 3.5–3.6 ≥3.7
LV diastolic diameter/height, cm/m 2.5–3.2 3.3–3.4 3.5–3.6 ≥3.7 2.4–3.3 3.4–3.5 3.6–3.7 ≥3.8
LV volume
LV diastolic volume, mL 56–104 105–117 118–130 ≥131 67–155 156–178 179–201 ≥201
LV diastolic volume/BSA, mL/m2 35–75 76–86 87–96 ≥97 35–75 76–86 87–96 ≥97
LV systolic volume, mL 19–49 50–59 60–69 ≥70 22–58 59–70 71–82 ≥83
LV systolic volume/BSA, mL/m2 12–30 31–36 37–42 ≥43 12–30 31–36 37–42 ≥43
  • BSA, body surface area; LV, left ventricular.
  • Green values: Recommended and best validated.

Left Ventricular Function

Reference limits and values and partition values of left ventricular functionASE
  Women Men
Reference range Mildly abnormal Moderately abnormal Severely abnormal Reference range Mildly abnormal Moderately abnormal Severely abnormal
Linear method
Endocardial fractional shortening, % 27–45 22–26 17–21 ≤16 25–43 20–24 15–19 ≤14
Midwall fractional shortening, % 15–23 13–14 11–12 ≤10 14–22 12–13 10–11 ≤10
2D Method
Ejection fraction, % ≥55 45–54 30–44 <30 ≥55 45–54 30–44 <30
  • 2D, Two-dimensional.
  • Green values: Recommended and best validated.

Right Ventricle

Right Ventricular and Pulmonary Artery Size

Reference limits and partition values of right ventricular and pulmonary artery sizeASE
  Reference range Mildly abnormal Moderately abnormal Severely abnormal
RV dimensions
Basal RV diameter (RVD 1), cm 2.0–2.8 2.9–3.3 3.4–3.8 ≥3.9
Mid-RV diameter (RVD 2), cm 2.7–3.3 3.4–3.7 3.8–4.1 ≥4.2
Base-to-apex length (RVD 3), cm 7.1–7.9 8.0–8.5 8.6–9.1 ≥9.2
RVOT diameters
Above aortic valve (RVOT 1), cm 2.5–2.9 3.0–3.2 3.3–3.5 ≥3.6
Above pulmonic valve (RVOT 2), cm 1.7–2.3 2.4–2.7 2.8–3.1 ≥3.2
PA diameter
Below pulmonic valve (PA 1), cm 1.5–2.1 2.2–2.5 2.6–2.9 ≥3.0
  • RV, Right ventricular; RVOT, right ventricular outflow tract; PA, pulmonary artery.
  • Data from Foale et al.Foale

Right Ventricular Size and Function

Reference limits and partition values of right ventricular size and function as measured in the apical 4-chamber viewASE
Reference range Mildly abnormal Moderately abnormal Severely abnormal
RV diastolic area, cm2 11–28 29–32 33–37 ≥38
RV systolic area, cm2 7.5–16 17–19 20–22 ≥23
RV fractional area change, % 32–60 25–31 18–24 ≤17
  • RV, Right ventricular.
  • Data from Weyman.Weyman

Atria

Left Atrial Dimensions / Volumes

Reference limits and partition values for left atrial dimensions/volumesASE
  Women Men
Reference range Mildly abnormal Moderately abnormal Severely abnormal Reference range Mildly abnormal Moderately abnormal Severely abnormal
Atrial dimensions

LA diameter, cm 2.7–3.8 3.9–4.2 4.3–4.6 ≥4.7 3.0–4.0 4.1–4.6 4.7–5.2 ≥5.2
LA diameter/BSA, cm/m2 1.5–2.3 2.4–2.6 2.7–2.9 ≥3.0 1.5–2.3 2.4–2.6 2.7–2.9 ≥3.0
RA minor-axis dimension, cm 2.9–4.5 4.6–4.9 5.0–5.4 ≥5.5 2.9–4.5 4.6–4.9 5.0–5.4 ≥5.5
RA minor-axis dimension/BSA, cm/m2 1.7–2.5 2.6–2.8 2.9–3.1 ≥3.2 1.7–2.5 2.6–2.8 2.9–3.1 ≥3.2
Atrial area
LA area, cm2 ≤20 20–30 30–40 >40 ≤20 20–30 30–40 >40
Atrial volumes
LA volume, mL 22–52 53–62 63–72 ≥73 18–58 59–68 69–78 ≥79
LA volume/BSA, mL/m2 22 ± 6 29–33 34–39 ≥40 22 ± 6 29–33 34–39 ≥40
  • BSA, Body surface area; LA, left atrial; RA, right atrial.
  • Green values: Recommended and best validated.

Aortic Valve

Aortic valve stenosis - severity

Recommendations for classification of AS severityASEVS
  Aortic sclerosis Mild Moderate Severe
Aortic jet velocity (m/s) ≤2.5 m/s 2.6-2.9 3.0-4.0 >4.0
Mean gradient (mmHg) - <20 (<30a) 20-40b (30-50a) >40b (>50a)
AVA (cm2) - >1.5 1.0-1.5 <1
Indexed AVA (cm2/m2)   >0.85 0.60-0.85 <0.6
Velocity ratio   >0.50 0.25-0.50 <0.25
  • aESC Guidelines.ESCAS
  • bAHA/ACC Guidelines.AHAAS


Mitral Valve

Mitral stenosis - routine measurements

Recommendations for data recording and measurement in routine use for mitral stenosis quantitationASEVS
Data element Recording Measurement
Planimetry
- 2D parasternal short-axis view - contour of the inner mitral orifice
- determine the smallest orifice by scanning from apex to base - include commissures when opened
- positioning of measurement plan can be oriented by 3D echo - in mid-diastole (use cine-loop)
- lowest gain setting to visualize the whole mitral orifice - average measurements if atrial fibrillation
Mitral flow
- continuous-wave Doppler - mean gradient from the traced contour of the diastolic mitral flow
- apical windows often suitable (optimize intercept angle) - pressure half-time from the descending sLope of the E-wave (mid-diastole slope if not linear)
- adjust gain setting to obtain well-defined flow contour - average measurements if atrial fibrillation
Systolic pulmonary artery pressure
- continuous-wave Doppler - maximum velocity of tricuspid regurgitant flow
- multiple acoustic windows to optimize intercept angle - estimation of right atrial pressure according to inferior vena cava diameter
Valve anatomy

- parasternal short-axis view

- valve thickness (maximum and heterogeneity)
- commissural fusion
- extension and location of localized bright zones (fibrous nodutes or calcification)

- parasternal long-axis view

- valve thickness
- extension of calcification
- valve pliability
- subvalvular apparatus (chordal thickening, fusion, or shortening)

- apical two-chamber view
- subvalvular apparatus (chordal thickening, fusion, or shortening)

Detail each component and summarize in a score

Mitral stenosis - severity

Recommendations for classification of mitral stenosis severityASEVS
  Mild Moderate Severe
Specific findings
Valve area (cm2) >1.5 1.0-1.5 <1.0
Supportive findings
Mean gradient (mmHg)a <5 5-10 >10
Pulmonary artery pressure (mmHg) <30 30-50 >50
  • aAt heart rates between 60 and 80 bpm and in sinus rhythm.

Mitral valve stenosis - Wilkins score

Assessment of mitral valve anatomy according to the Wilkins scoreWilkins
Grade Mobility Thickening Calcification Subvalvular Thickening
1 Highly mobile valve with only leaflet tips restricted Leaflets near normal in thickness (4-5 mm) A single area of increased echo brightness Minimal thickening just below the mitral leaflets
2 Leaflet mid and base portions have normal mobility Midleaflets normal, considerable thickening of margins (5-8 mm) Scattered areas of brightness confined to leaflet margins Thickening of chordal structures extending to one-third of the chordal length
3 Valve continues to move forward in diastole, mainly from the base Thickening extending through the entire leaflet (5-8mm) Brightness extending into the mid-portions of the leaflets Thickening extended to distal third of the chords
4 No or minimal forward movement of the leaflets in diastole Considerable thickening of all leaflet tissue (>8-10mm) Extensive brightness throughout much of the leaflet tissue Extensive thickening and shortening of all chordal structures extending down to the papillary muscles
  • The total score is the sum of the four items and ranges between 4 and 16.

Tricuspid Valve

Tricuspid stenosis - severity

Findings indicative of haemodynamically significant tricuspid stenosisASEVS
Specific findings
Mean pressure gradient ≥5 mmHg
Inflow time-velocity integral >60 cm
T1/2 ≥190 ms
Valve area by continuity equationa ≤1 cm2
Supportive findings
Enlarged right atrium ≥moderate
DHated inferior vena cava
  • aStroke volume derived from left or right ventricular outflow. In the presence of more than mild TR, the derived valve area will be underestimated. Nevertheless, a value ≤1 cm2 implies a significant haemodynamic burden imposed by the combined lesion.

Pulmonary Valve

Pulmonary stenosis - severity

Grading of pulmonary stenosisASEVS
  Mild Moderate Severe
Peak velocity (m/s) <3 3-4 >4
Peak gradient (mmHg) <36 36-64 >64

vavularregurg

vavularregurg - table 3

Application of specific and supportive signs, and quantitative parameters in the grading of mitral regurgitation severity
  Mild Moderate Severe
Specific signs of severity
  • Small central jet <4 cm2 or <20% of LA areaψ
  • Vena contracta width <0.3 cm
  • No or minimal flow convergence
Signs of MR>mild present, but no criteria for severe MR
  • Vena contracta width ≥ 0.7cm with large central MR jet (area < 40% of LA) or with a wall-impinging jet of any size, swirling in LAψ
  • Large flow convergenceς
  • Systolic reversal in pulmonary veins
  • Prominent flail MV leaflet or ruptured papillary muscle
Supportive signs
  • Systolic dominant flow in pulmonary veins
  • A-wave dominant mitral inflowΦ
  • Soft density, parabolic CW Doppler MR signal
  • Normal LV size
Intermediate signs/findings
  • Dense, triangular CW Doppler MR jet
  • E-wave dominant mitral inflow (E >1.2 m/s)Φ Enlarged LV and LA size∗∗, (particularly when normal LV function is present).
Quantitative parametersφ
R Vol (ml/beat) < 30 30-44 45-59 ≥ 60
RF (%) < 30 30-39 40-49 ≥ 50
EROA (cm2) < 0.20 0.20-0.29 0.30-0.39 ≥ 0.40
  • CW, Continuous wave; EROA, effective regurgitant orifice area; LA, left atrium; LV, left ventricle; MV, mitral valve; MR, mitral regurgitation; R Vol, regurgitant volume; RF, regurgitant fraction.

LV size applied only to chronic lesions. Normal 2D measurements: LV minor axis ≤ 2.8 cm/m2, LV end-diastolic volume ≤ 82 ml/m2, maximal LA antero-posterior diameter ≤ 2.8 cm/m2, maximal
LA volume ≤ 36 ml/m2 (2;33;35).
∗∗ In the absence of other etiologies of LV and LA dilatation and acute MR.
ψ At a Nyquist limit of 50-60 cm/s.
Φ Usually above 50 years of age or in conditions of impaired relaxation, in the absence of mitral stenosis or other causes of elevated LA pressure.
ς Minimal and large flow convergence defined as a flow convergence radius < 0.4 cm and ≤ 0.9 cm for central jets, respectively, with a baseline shift at a Nyquist of 40 cm/s; Cut-offs for
eccentric jets are higher, and should be angle corrected (see text).
φ Quantitative parameters can help sub-classify the moderate regurgitation group into mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe as shown.

vavularregurg - table 6

Application of specific and supportive signs, and quantitative parameters in the grading of aortic regurgitation severity
  Mild Moderate Severe
Specific signs for AR severity
  • Central Jet, width < 25% of LVOTς
  • Vena contracta < 0.3 cmς
  • No or brief early diastolic flow reversal in descending aorta
Signs of AR>mild present but no criteria for severe AR
  • Central Jet, width ≥ 65% of LVOTς
  • Vena contracta > 0.6cmς
Supportive signs
  • Pressure half-time > 500 ms
  • Normal LV size
Intermediate values
  • Pressure half-time < 200 ms
  • Holodiastolic aortic flow reversal in descending aorta
  • Moderate or greater LV enlargement∗∗
Quantitative parametersψ
R Vol, ml/beat < 30 30-44 45-59 ≥ 60
RF % < 30 30-39 40-49 ≥ 50
EROA, cm2 < 0.10 0.10-0.19 0.20-0.29 ≥ 0.30
AR, Aortic regurgitation; EROA, effective regurgitant orifice area; LV, left ventricle; LVOT, left ventricular outflow tract; R Vol, regurgitant volume; RF, regurgitant fraction.

vavularregurg - table 8

caption

vavularregurg - table 10

caption


References

<biblio>

  1. Foale pmid=3730205
  2. Weyman isbn=0812112075
  3. ASE pmid=16458610
  4. ASEVS pmid=19130998
  5. Wilkins pmid=3190958
  6. ESCAS pmid=17259184
  7. ACCAS pmid=18848134

</bilbio>