1. What is Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMI)?

Definition: LVMI is a measurement that adjusts left ventricular mass for body size by dividing it by body surface area (BSA).

Purpose: It helps cardiologists assess whether the heart's left ventricle is abnormally enlarged, which can indicate various cardiac conditions.

2. How Does the LVMI Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( LVMI \) — Left ventricular mass index (g/m²)
• \( LVM \) — Left ventricular mass (grams, g)
• \( BSA \) — Body surface area (square meters, m²)

Explanation: The left ventricular mass is divided by the patient's body surface area to normalize the measurement for body size.

3. Clinical Importance of LVMI

Details: LVMI is crucial for diagnosing left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). For women, normal values are typically:

• Normal: ≤ 95 g/m²
• Mild LVH: 96-108 g/m²
• Moderate LVH: 109-121 g/m²
• Severe LVH: ≥ 122 g/m²

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Enter the left ventricular mass in grams (typically measured by echocardiography or cardiac MRI)
• Enter the body surface area in square meters (calculated from height and weight)
• All values must be greater than 0

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is LVMI different for women and men?
A: Women generally have smaller body size and heart dimensions, so gender-specific reference ranges are used.

Q2: How is LVM measured?
A: LVM is typically measured by echocardiography using the Devereux formula or by cardiac MRI.

Q3: How do I calculate BSA?
A: BSA can be calculated using formulas like Du Bois or Mosteller based on height and weight.

Q4: What conditions can cause elevated LVMI?
A: Hypertension, aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and athletic heart syndrome can increase LVMI.

Q5: Is LVMI the only measure of left ventricular hypertrophy?
A: No, relative wall thickness and other echocardiographic parameters are also important in LVH assessment.