[Possibility of noninvasive determination of left ventricular volume from a single minor axis]

The authors analyzed the left cinoventriculography data in 425 patients with various heart diseases in whom the volumes of the left ventricle varied from the normal to considerably increased values. It was established that the ratio of the transverse axis to the longitudinal one varied from 0.25 to 0.85 which suggests that it is not advisable to calculate the volume of the left ventricular chamber according to the formula of the volume of the ellipsoid of revolution whose long axis is replaced by the double value of the minor axis. Actually, the acceptable accuracy of the calculation of the volume by this formula may be obtained only when the transverse axis equals 4-4.5 cm. The studies have shown that the formula suggested by L. Teichholz is most optimal. The results obtained with the formula showed a good correlation with the volumes determined with the help of the cinoventriculogram (r = 0.93 +/- 0.04). This formula (Formula: see text) should be used for calculating the volumes of the left ventricle during echocardiography.