Prepare for the Echocardiography Techniques III Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes detailed explanations. Get ready for your certification!

Multiple Choice

What is the unit of left ventricular mass when calculated with the Devereux formula?

The Devereux formula yields LV mass in grams because it starts from dimensions in centimeters and uses myocardial density to convert volume to mass. Specifically, the term [(IVSd + LVIDd + PWd)^3 − (LVIDd)^3] gives a volume in cubic centimeters, and multiplying by the density of myocardium (about 1.04 g/cm^3) converts that volume to grams. The constants in the formula are unitless adjustments, so they don’t change the units. Thus the calculated left ventricular mass is expressed in grams (g). If you see LV mass indexed to body size, it’s reported as g/m^2, but the raw LV mass from the Devereux formula is in grams.

The Devereux formula yields LV mass in grams because it starts from dimensions in centimeters and uses myocardial density to convert volume to mass. Specifically, the term [(IVSd + LVIDd + PWd)^3 − (LVIDd)^3] gives a volume in cubic centimeters, and multiplying by the density of myocardium (about 1.04 g/cm^3) converts that volume to grams. The constants in the formula are unitless adjustments, so they don’t change the units. Thus the calculated left ventricular mass is expressed in grams (g). If you see LV mass indexed to body size, it’s reported as g/m^2, but the raw LV mass from the Devereux formula is in grams.