Journal List > J Cardiovasc Ultrasound > v.17(2) > 1018129

Choi and Sung: Left Ventricular Sphericity Index in Asymptomatic Population

Abstract

Background

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling manifests as an increase in LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, an increase in myocardial mass, and a change in chamber geometry to a more spherical shape, and has been considered to be a consequence of heart failure, myocardial infarction or mitral regurgitation. However, less is known about change of LV geometry, especially LV sphericity, in asymptomatic population according to aging.

Methods

We investigated 261 asymptomatic subjects who volunteered for health screening and underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Those with poor echo image, significant coronary artery disease, LV dysfunction, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were excluded. LV sphericity index is defined as the ratio of the long-axis length divided by LV short-axis length, both during systole and diastole. LV mass was calculated from septal and posterior wall thickness and LV internal dimension at end-diastole and then divided by body surface area to calculate LV mass index.

Results

The mean age of subjects was 49.6±6.7 years and the percentage of male was 81%. LV sphericity index at diastole showed significant correlation with age (r=-0.17, p value<0.01), but LV sphericity index at systole did not. Both indices did not showed significant association with aerobic fitness, blood pressure, glucose, insulin resistance and LV function. LV mass index showed significant correlation with age (r=0.14, p value<0.05).

Conclusion

Among the parameters of LV geometry, sphericity index showed decrease with aging in healthy population, meaning LV becoming more spherical with aging. Longitudinal follow-up study is needed to determine its usefulness as a predictor of future LV dysfunction in asymptomatic population.

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Left ventricle sphericity index at diastole showed significant correlation with age (r=-0.17, p value<0.01).
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Fig. 2
Left ventricle mass index showed significant correlation with age (r=0.14, p value<0.05).
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Table 1
Baseline characteristics of the study subjects
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BP: blood pressure, BMI: body mass index

Table 2
M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic indices with age group and comparement with reference (multicenter trial in Korea)
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LVEDD: left ventricular end diastolic dimension, LVESD: left ventricular end systolic dimension, IVST: intervenricular septal thickness, PWT: left ventricular posterior wall thickness, LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction, LAD: left atrum diameter

Table 3
Change of LV sphericity indices and LV mass index with age group
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LV: left ventricle, SI: sphericity index, LVMi: left ventricular mass index

Table 4
Correlation coefficients between LV sphericty indices, LV mass index and clinical variables
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*p<0.01, p<0.05. SI: sphericity index. LVMi: left ventricular mass index, SBP: systolic blood pressure, FBS: fasting blood sugar, VO2max: maximal O2 uptake, HR recovery: heart rate recovery, HOMA-IR: the homeostasis model assessment of resistance, LVEF: left ventricle ejection fraction

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