Obtain the LVSAX view in Diastole. The optimal view is the mid transgastric LVSAX view.
Measure the PWT, SWT, and LVID. The Posterior Wall Thickness (PWT) + Septal Wall Thickness (SWT) and the Left Ventricular Internal Diameter (LVID), when added together represent the total distance across the heart. The total distance is cubed and multiplied by 0.8, a correction factor to get the total volume of the heart. Similarly, the Left Ventricular Internal Diameter (LVID) is cubed and multiplied by 0.8 to reveal the internal (non muscular) volume of the heart. The difference between the two values represents the volume of the cardiac muscle of the heart. The volume of the muscle is multiplied by the specific gravity (1.06) and a correction factor 0.6 grams is added to reveal the mass of the left ventricle.
Enter the Data to calculate the LV Mass. The RVIO view is useful for measuring the RVOT diameter. Under zoomed conditions, use the trackball-calipers function to measure the RVOT diameter.