The study population comprised 47 patients (16 men and 31 women, mean age: 29±6 years) with a small heart shadow [cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) ≤42%] and severe (S: 25, CTR: 38±4%)) or mild (M: 22, CTR: 40±3%) symptoms, as well as 24 controls (C). Left ventricular (LV) function was determined
by echocardiography. The mean LV end-diastolic dimension (mm) values were in the order
of S (39±4)<M (43±2)<C (46±5) (p<0.05). The mean cardiac index (L/min/m2) was significantly (p<0.001) smaller in S (2.0±0.4) than in M (2.6±0.5) and C (2.8±0.6). The prevalence of low cardiac index (<2) was significantly (p<0.01) higher in S (60%) than in M (9%) and C (4%). The pathognomonic significance
of a small heart should be recognized as a constitutional factor that predisposes
individuals to low output syndrome.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 15, 2010
Accepted:
May 16,
2010
Received:
April 23,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
