Normal values of two-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation of left and right ventricular geometry in children.

Normal values for left and right ventricular geometry in childhood were evaluated from two-dimensional echocardiograms using a specially-designed computer program package. Based on the normal values for ventricular cross-sectional areas, ventricular volumes were calculated applying the algorithm of "sphere volumes". For normal subjects, these "sphere volumes" were found to be linearly related to bodyweight which also can be seen in angiographic volume determinations. Thus, these echocardiographic "sphere volumes" could be transferred to actual ventricular volumes by using a factor which results from the different slopes of angio- and echocardiographic "sphere volumes" versus bodyweight. The mean relative error of ventricular volumes thus obtained from echocardiograms is comparable with that of angiocardiographic determinations except for right ventricular end-diastolic volumes. Parameters of wall thickness and myocardial volume are favourably calculated as myocardial area and related to cavity area.