1. What is LV Mass Index?

The LV Mass Index (LVMI) is a measure of left ventricular mass adjusted for body surface area. It helps assess cardiac hypertrophy and is an important parameter in evaluating cardiovascular health.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Devereux formula:

Where:

• \( LVEDD \) — Left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (cm)
• \( IVSd \) — Interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole (cm)
• \( PWd \) — Posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (cm)
• \( BSA \) — Body surface area calculated using Mosteller formula

Explanation: The equation calculates left ventricular mass from echocardiographic measurements and normalizes it for body size.

3. Importance of LVMI Calculation

Details: LVMI is crucial for diagnosing left ventricular hypertrophy, assessing cardiovascular risk, and monitoring response to treatment in hypertension and other cardiac conditions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter echocardiographic measurements in cm, height in cm, weight in kg, age in years, and select gender. All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are normal LVMI values?
A: Normal ranges vary by gender: Men ≤115 g/m², Women ≤95 g/m². Values above these suggest left ventricular hypertrophy.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The Devereux formula correlates well with autopsy findings (r=0.92) but may overestimate mass at extremes of body size.

Q3: When should LVMI be measured?
A: Recommended for patients with hypertension, aortic stenosis, or other conditions that may cause ventricular hypertrophy.

Q4: Are there limitations to this method?
A: Less accurate in very obese patients, those with irregular ventricular geometry, or poor echocardiographic windows.

Q5: How does age affect LVMI?
A: LV mass increases with age, but the index accounts for body size changes. Age-specific reference ranges may be used.