Normal reference values of echocardiographic measurements in young Egyptian adults

BackgroundNormal values for echocardiographic measurements are widely based on cohorts from North American populations. Differences have been shown to exist that could be attributed to racial and ethnic differences.ObjectiveTo define the normal echocardiographic reference values for various cardiac measurements in young, healthy Egyptian adults.MethodsThis study was performed on 1,364 healthy adults aged 18–35years. Standard trans-thoracic echocardiographic studies were performed to obtain end diastole measurements of left ventricular (LV) posterior wall thickness (PWd), interventricular septum thickness (IVSd), LV internal dimensions at end diastole (LVEDD) and end systole (LVESD), left atrial (LA) diameter, aortic root diameter and right ventricular outflow dimension (RVd). LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LV mass and relative wall thickness were assessed. All measurements were then indexed to body surface area (BSA). Based on our results we proposed normal reference values for young Egyptian adults.ResultsOn comparing subjects according to gender, absolute measurements showed males had significantly larger LVEDD, LVESD, IVSd, PWd, LV mass, LA anteroposterior diameter and aortic root diameter (p<0.0001 for each). LV ejection fraction was higher in females (p=0.008). There was no difference regarding RVd (p=0.118). Females had larger indexed LVEDD (p=0.0003), indexed LA and aortic root diameters (p=0.0005 and 0.007 respectively) and indexed RVd (p<0.0001). However, indexed LV mass was larger in males 83.56±20.37 versus 77.76±18.56g/m2 (p<0.0001). We proposed normal values for absolute and indexed echocardiographic measurements based on our results.ConclusionsEstimation of local reference values is important to define normalcy. The main difference from international values was a higher upper reference limit for LV mass especially in females and relatively smaller LA dimensions in young Egyptians