Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Echocardiographic Assessment of Cardiac Anatomy and Function in Adult Rats
Published on: December 13, 2019
Echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular structure and diastolic function and their relation to coronary
Sung Keun Park1, Jeong Gyu Kang2, Hyo Sun Seok2
1Center for Cohort Studies, Total Healthcare Center, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction are linked to higher coronary artery calcium scores (CACS), indicating increased cardiovascular risk. This study reveals associations between echocardiographic markers and CACS in a large Korean adult population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Left ventricular (LV) structural and diastolic dysfunction are linked to poor cardiovascular prognosis.
- Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) predicts adverse cardiovascular events, but its association with LV alterations needs further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between echocardiographic parameters of LV structure and diastolic function and CACS in Korean adults.
Main Methods:
- 9053 Korean adults underwent echocardiography to assess LV structure and diastolic function.
- Echocardiographic parameters were grouped by quartile, and CACS was determined using computed tomography.
- Multivariate regression analysis identified associations between echocardiographic quartiles and CACS > 0.
Main Results:
- Elevated LVMI, RWT, IVST, and PWT (structural parameters) were significantly associated with CACS > 0.
- Lower septal e' velocity and higher E/e' ratios (diastolic dysfunction markers) were associated with CACS > 0.
Conclusions:
- Echocardiographic findings indicative of LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction are associated with the presence of coronary artery calcification.
- These findings highlight the potential of echocardiography in identifying individuals at higher cardiovascular risk based on LV alterations.
Abstract:
Alteration in left ventricular (LV) structure and diastolic function is associated with poor cardiovascular (CV) prognosis. Coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is a reliable marker for coronary artery calcification, predicting adverse CV events. However, evidence is still insufficient to establish the association between alteration in LV structure and diastolic function and CACS. 9053 Korean adults (male: 84.2%, mean age: 42.5 years) were grouped by quartile levels of echocardiographic parameters for LV structure and diastolic function. CACS was detected by multidirectional computed tomography and categorized into CACS > 0 or CACS = 0. Multivariate regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for CACS > 0 (adjusted OR [95% CI]) in each quartile group of echocardiographic parameters (reference: quartile 1 group). CACS > 0 was significantly associated with structural parameters above third quartile in LVMI (1.19 [1.00-1.41]), RWT (1.23 [1.03-1.46]) and IVST (1.42 [1.20-1.70]) and fourth quartile in PWT (1.36 [1.14-1.63]). In parameters of diastolic function, septal e' velocity ≥ 10.7 cm/s (fourth quartile) was less associated with CACS > 0 than septal e' velocity ≤ 7.7 cm/s (first quartile). Additionally, the fourth quartile of E/e' was more significantly associated with CACS > 0 than that of first quartile. Echocardiographic parameters close to LV hypertrophy and LV diastolic dysfunction are associated with CACS > 0.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion,...
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

