Understanding left ventricular mass and LV mass index
Left ventricular (LV) mass is the estimated weight of the heart's main pumping chamber, calculated from echocardiogram measurements of wall thickness and chamber diameter taken at end-diastole (the moment just before the heart contracts). Because a larger person's heart is normally somewhat larger, LV mass is typically divided by body surface area (BSA) to produce the LV mass index (LVMI), which can be compared against population reference ranges regardless of body size.
The Devereux formula
This calculator uses the Devereux formula, the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) recommended method for estimating LV mass from linear (M-mode or 2D) measurements:
LV mass (g) = 0.8 x [1.04 x ((IVSd + LVIDd + PWTd)3 - LVIDd3)] + 0.6
where IVSd is the interventricular septal thickness, LVIDd is the LV internal diameter, and PWTd is the posterior wall thickness, all measured at end-diastole in centimeters. The formula treats the left ventricle as a prolate ellipsoid shell and estimates the volume of muscle by subtracting the internal cavity volume from the total enclosed volume, then converting to mass using the specific gravity of myocardial tissue (1.04 g/cm3).
Indexing to body size
Body surface area is estimated with the Du Bois formula, BSA (m2) = 0.007184 x height(cm)0.725 x weight(kg)0.425, and LVMI is simply LV mass divided by BSA. Using the 2015 ASE/EACVI chamber quantification reference ranges for the linear method, normal LVMI is approximately 43-95 g/m2 in women and 49-115 g/m2 in men. Values above roughly 95 g/m2 (women) or 115 g/m2 (men) are consistent with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), with mildly, moderately, and severely abnormal bands further subdividing the elevated range.
What LVH can indicate
LV hypertrophy is a structural adaptation most often associated with long-standing high blood pressure, aortic valve disease, or intense athletic training, though several other conditions can also cause it. The pattern and degree of thickening, along with symptoms and other test findings, determine what it means for any individual - this calculator only performs the standard geometric arithmetic.
When to consult a professional
Use this tool for tracking and education alongside a formal echocardiogram report. It does not diagnose a condition or replace the reading cardiologist's interpretation, which accounts for image quality, chamber geometry, and the full clinical picture. Discuss any abnormal result with the clinician who ordered or reviewed your echocardiogram.