Elongation as a new shape index for the left ventricle

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• The shape of the left ventricle (LV) is closely linked to its performance.
• Left Ventricular Elongation (ELO) is proposed as a sensitive index of LV performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the shape of the left ventricle (LV).
• To assess the relationship between LV shape (ELO) and cardiovascular parameters.
• To evaluate ELO in volunteers and patients with varying degrees of heart failure.

Main Methods:

• Noninvasive LV endocardial surface area calculation using echocardiography and Simpson's rule.
• Derivation of ELO using a simple formula based on endocardial surface area.
• Determination of LV endocardial surface area and ELO in volunteers and heart failure patients.

Main Results:

• Normal LV endocardial surface area at end-diastole is 138.3 cm², at end-systole is 99 cm².
• Patients with mild heart failure showed significantly larger LV endocardial surface area compared to volunteers.
• Lower end-systolic ELO values were observed exclusively in patients with severe heart failure, indicating a more spherical LV shape and impaired systolic function.

Conclusions:

• Left Ventricular Elongation (ELO) serves as a valuable quantitative and qualitative index for assessing left ventricular shape.
• ELO has potential for integration with advanced diagnostic tools like 3D and contrast echocardiography.