[Evaluation of left ventricular mass by M-mode and bidimensional echocardiography]

The aim of this study was to validate an echocardiographic method of evaluating LV mass by assessing the reproducibility and comparing the results with those of angiography. 20 patients without abnormal regional wall motions or asymmetric septal hypertrophy underwent left ventriculography in the RAO plane and three successive M mode and 2D echocardiograms. Three 2D echo methods of measuring volumes and mass were used: the monoplane ellipsoid model obtained from apical views, the biplane ellipsoid model from an apical and a short axis parasternal view and the hemi-ellipsoid-cylinder model (HEC). The M mode evaluations showed good reproducibility with respect to volume (variation coefficient (VC): inter observer 9.8 p. 100 and intra patient 15.6 p. 100). The reproducibility of 2D echo measurements was much poorer (intra patient volume: VC = 34 to 45 p. 100; mass 29 to 46 p. 100). A close correlation was observed between the results of M mode echo and angiography; volume r = 0.85, SD = 60 g. With respect to the 2D method, the best results were obtained with the HEC model; volume r = 0.90, SD = 31 ml; mass r = 0.82, SD = 41 g. We suggest a method combining the M mode and 2D techniques, using a HEC model in which the long axis is obtained by 2D echocardiography and the short axis and wall thickness by M mode recordings. The following correlations with the angiographic method were obtained: volume r = 0.91, SD = 36 ml; mass r = 0.89, SD = 27 g.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)