From the Research
Normal Right Ventricle (RV) to Left Ventricle (LV) Ratio
The normal RV to LV ratio can be described in terms of different parameters, including diameter and volume ratios.
- The RV/LV diameter ratio at end-systole in normal controls is approximately 0.51 1.
- In a healthy population, the right ventricular ejection fraction (EF) is lower compared to the left ventricular EF, with values of 50+/-9.7% in men and 58+/-13.6% in women 2.
- The RV/LV width ratio in fetuses from 16 to 38 gestational weeks is approximately 1.03 (0.87-1.23) to 1.06 (0.87-1.30) 3.
- The mass of the RV is about one sixth that of the LV mass, and the RV has a larger volume than the LV 4.
RV to LV Ratio in Different Conditions
The RV to LV ratio can be affected by various conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.
- In patients with pulmonary hypertension, the RV/LV diameter ratio at end-systole is significantly higher than in normal controls, with a mean value of 1.47 1.
- An RV/LV ratio > 1 is associated with adverse clinical events in children with pulmonary hypertension 1.
- The RV/LV ratio can also be affected by left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy, with increased trabeculations of the RV apex observed in patients with this condition 5.