One size doesn’t fit all: exploring the influence of body size, age, and sex on right ventricle size measurements

Abstract Background The assessment of right ventricular (RV) size is an important part of 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Current chamber quantification guidelines provide reference values as unindexed numbers, similar for men and women. We sought to evaluate normal ranges of RV dimens...

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Main Authors: Yun Wang, Christopher G. Scott, Garvan C. Kane, Sorin V. Pislaru, Jared G. Bird, Patricia A. Pellikka, Vidhu Anand
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-02-01
Series:The Ultrasound Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13089-025-00407-7
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author Yun Wang
Christopher G. Scott
Garvan C. Kane
Sorin V. Pislaru
Jared G. Bird
Patricia A. Pellikka
Vidhu Anand
author_facet Yun Wang
Christopher G. Scott
Garvan C. Kane
Sorin V. Pislaru
Jared G. Bird
Patricia A. Pellikka
Vidhu Anand
author_sort Yun Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The assessment of right ventricular (RV) size is an important part of 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Current chamber quantification guidelines provide reference values as unindexed numbers, similar for men and women. We sought to evaluate normal ranges of RV dimensions based on age, sex, body surface area (BSA), and height. Consecutive patients with “normal echocardiogram” between January 2011 and August 2022 at our center were retrospectively included. RV dimensions including diameter at the base and mid-ventricle level, and base-to-apex length were measured. Results Of 1389 patients (median 43 years, 53% female) with all three measurements available, the median RV measurements, both unindexed and indexed to BSA, were: basal diameter 35.0 mm (31.0–39.0) and 18.4 mm/m2 (16.5–20.3); mid diameter 28.0 mm and 14.8 mm/m2 (13.1–16.6); RV length 73.0 mm (67.0–78.0) and 37.6 mm/m2 (34.9–40.9). RV dimensions were larger in men than women across all age groups but similar when indexed to BSA (for basal and mid dimensions). RV length was best indexed to height. Our indexed normal values by age and sex were similar to World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) cohort. Conclusions RV measurements should be indexed to BSA, considering sex and age, to determine RV size and enlargement.
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spelling doaj-art-c54bca34d4cc47e2a98c922c6bdf27f02025-08-20T02:16:34ZengSpringerOpenThe Ultrasound Journal2524-89872025-02-011711510.1186/s13089-025-00407-7One size doesn’t fit all: exploring the influence of body size, age, and sex on right ventricle size measurementsYun Wang0Christopher G. Scott1Garvan C. Kane2Sorin V. Pislaru3Jared G. Bird4Patricia A. Pellikka5Vidhu Anand6Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo ClinicDepartment of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo ClinicDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo ClinicDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo ClinicDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo ClinicDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo ClinicDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo ClinicAbstract Background The assessment of right ventricular (RV) size is an important part of 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography. Current chamber quantification guidelines provide reference values as unindexed numbers, similar for men and women. We sought to evaluate normal ranges of RV dimensions based on age, sex, body surface area (BSA), and height. Consecutive patients with “normal echocardiogram” between January 2011 and August 2022 at our center were retrospectively included. RV dimensions including diameter at the base and mid-ventricle level, and base-to-apex length were measured. Results Of 1389 patients (median 43 years, 53% female) with all three measurements available, the median RV measurements, both unindexed and indexed to BSA, were: basal diameter 35.0 mm (31.0–39.0) and 18.4 mm/m2 (16.5–20.3); mid diameter 28.0 mm and 14.8 mm/m2 (13.1–16.6); RV length 73.0 mm (67.0–78.0) and 37.6 mm/m2 (34.9–40.9). RV dimensions were larger in men than women across all age groups but similar when indexed to BSA (for basal and mid dimensions). RV length was best indexed to height. Our indexed normal values by age and sex were similar to World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography (WASE) cohort. Conclusions RV measurements should be indexed to BSA, considering sex and age, to determine RV size and enlargement.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13089-025-00407-7Right ventricle sizeDimensionsSex differencesBody surface area
spellingShingle Yun Wang
Christopher G. Scott
Garvan C. Kane
Sorin V. Pislaru
Jared G. Bird
Patricia A. Pellikka
Vidhu Anand
One size doesn’t fit all: exploring the influence of body size, age, and sex on right ventricle size measurements
The Ultrasound Journal
Right ventricle size
Dimensions
Sex differences
Body surface area
title One size doesn’t fit all: exploring the influence of body size, age, and sex on right ventricle size measurements
title_full One size doesn’t fit all: exploring the influence of body size, age, and sex on right ventricle size measurements
title_fullStr One size doesn’t fit all: exploring the influence of body size, age, and sex on right ventricle size measurements
title_full_unstemmed One size doesn’t fit all: exploring the influence of body size, age, and sex on right ventricle size measurements
title_short One size doesn’t fit all: exploring the influence of body size, age, and sex on right ventricle size measurements
title_sort one size doesn t fit all exploring the influence of body size age and sex on right ventricle size measurements
topic Right ventricle size
Dimensions
Sex differences
Body surface area
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13089-025-00407-7
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