Total biventricular volume and total left ventricular volume by ultrafast computed tomography: prediction of left ventricular mass.

Since LV hypertrophy is an independent predictor of increased cardiac mortality, a simple noninvasive measure of LV mass would be a valuable screening tool. A retrospective assessment of 50 UFCT studies was performed. Measurements of LV mass, TBV, and TLV were determined in each case. There was excellent correlation between TBV and LVM (R = 0.93) and between TLV and LV mass (R = 0.92). Also, there was minimal interobserver variability between two independent observers for estimates of both TBV (R = 0.995) and TLV (R = 0.99). Thus these preliminary data indicate that LV mass may be estimated from TBV or TLV and that these tools may assist in the identification of patients potentially at high risk for future coronary events, as indicated by the presence of increased LV mass and coronary atherosclerosis.