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Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
06:34

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography

Published on: October 28, 2020

Increased left ventricular mass is a risk factor for the development of a depressed left ventricular ejection

Mark H Drazner1, J Eduardo Rame, Emily K Marino

  • 1Heart Failure Research Unit, Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. mark.drazner@utsouthwestern.edu

Journal of the American College of Cardiology
|June 15, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Increased left ventricular mass (LVM) is a significant risk factor for developing a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). This finding highlights LVM as an independent predictor of decreased heart function over time.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Previous research linked increased left ventricular mass (LVM) to heart failure.
  • The association between LVM and reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) remained unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if increased left ventricular mass (LVM) predicts the development of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Main Methods:

  • Prospective analysis of 3,042 participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study with normal baseline LVEF.
  • Echocardiograms and electrocardiograms assessed LVM at baseline and follow-up (4.9 years).
  • Multivariable regression analyzed the association between LVM quartiles and the development of depressed LVEF (<55%).

Main Results:

  • Higher baseline LVM quartiles were significantly associated with increased risk of developing depressed LVEF (p < 0.001).
  • This association persisted in multivariable analyses, even after adjusting for confounders.
  • A similar trend was observed in participants without a history of myocardial infarction.

Conclusions:

  • Increased left ventricular mass (LVM), measured by echocardiography or electrocardiography, is an independent risk factor for reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
  • LVM is a valuable predictor for identifying individuals at risk of developing impaired cardiac function.
Abstract

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