Normal Organ Weights in Women: Part I-The Heart

Cardiac enlargement is a well-known independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death, though the definition of what constitutes cardiac enlargement is not universally established. A previous study was undertaken to establish a normal range for male hearts to address this issue; the present study was designed to address the issue and to determine normal cardiac weights in adult human females. A prospective study was undertaken of healthy females dying from sudden, traumatic deaths aged 18 to 35 years. Cases were excluded if: there was a history of medical illness, including illicit drug use; prolonged medical treatment was performed; there was a prolonged period between the time of injury and death; body length and weight could not be accurately assessed; if there was significant cardiac injury; or if any illness or intoxication was identified after gross, microscopic, and toxicologic analysis, including evidence of systemic disease. A total of 102 cases met criteria for inclusion in the study during the approximately 10-year period of data collection from 2004 to 2014. The decedents had an average age of 24.4 years and ranged in length from 141 to 182 cm (56.4 to 72.8 in.) with an average length of 160 cm (64 in.). The weight ranged from 35.9 to 152 kg (79 to 334 lbs) with an average weight of 65.3 kg (143 lbs). The majority of the decedents (86%) died from either ballistic or blunt force (including craniocerebral) injuries. Overall, the heart weights ranged from 156 to 422 g with an average of 245 g and a standard deviation of 52 g. Regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between heart weight and body weight, body length, and body mass index, respectively, and found insufficient associations to enable predictability. The authors, therefore, propose establishing a normal range for heart weight in women of 148 to 296 g.