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Normal organ weights in men: part I-the heart
D Kimberley Molina1, Vincent J M DiMaio
1Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. kmolina@bexar.org
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|December 21, 2011
Summary
This study establishes a normal heart weight range for adult men (233-383g) to aid in identifying cardiac enlargement, a risk factor for sudden cardiac death.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Cardiology
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Cardiac enlargement is an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death.
- A universally established definition for cardiac enlargement is lacking.
- Normal cardiac weights in adult men require precise definition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish normal cardiac weights in adult men.
- To define a reference range for heart weight in males.
- To address the issue of universally establishing cardiac enlargement definitions.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of healthy men aged 18-35 years dying from sudden traumatic deaths.
- Exclusion criteria included medical history, prolonged treatment, delayed death post-injury, and significant cardiac injury or systemic disease.
- Analysis of 232 cases with detailed anthropometric and cardiac weight measurements.
Main Results:
- Average heart weight was 331g (SD 56.7g), ranging from 188g to 575g.
- Regression analysis showed insufficient association between heart weight and body metrics for predictability.
- A proposed reference range for adult male heart weight is 233g to 383g (95% inclusion).
Conclusions:
- A defined reference range for heart weight is necessary for adult males.
- The proposed range of 233-383g can aid in identifying cardiac enlargement.
- This aids in assessing risk for sudden cardiac death.
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