Cardiac geometry as a measure of contractility-comparison of hypertrophic and athletic hearts

The geometry of the left ventricle was examined in normal human subjects and those with cardiac hypertrophy. Measurements were obtained via echocardiography. Endocardial surface area (SLV) and percent deviation from spherical shape (CYL) were evaluated from the images. It was found that greatly increased SLV accompanied by decreasing or unchanged CYL indicate diminished muscle function and failure, also identified by lower ejection fractions. Hence, ventricular enlargement and spherical shape indicate impaired cardiac function.