[Estimation of heart size--x-ray versus 2-dimensional echocardiography]

Radiologic heart volume measurement (HV) and two dimensional echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular volume and ejection fraction (EF) were carried out in 108 healthy subjects and 68 patients with hypertony, dilatative cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic-obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Healthy subjects show a close relationship between echocardiographic determined volume and absolute heart volume (HV), in patients with hypertony, dilatative cardiomyopathy and HOCM there is also a significant correlation. However, no correlation exists between EF and HV and HV/kg in patients with hypertony and HOCM, whereas patients with dilatative cardiomyopathy show a high significant inverse relationship. It is concluded that these results are caused by great differences in muscle mass. The clinical value of radiologic heart volume as a parameter of left ventricular systolic function seems to be low and depends on cause of the heart enlargement.