Abstract
Studies evaluating potential differences in normal cardiac dimensions and body mass indices of various ethnic populations using 2D echocardiography have reported variations based on gender and ethnicity. With the currently accepted echocardiographic reference values from US studies, and the limited information available on Chinese populations, the aim of this pilot study was to determine the normal cardiac dimensions and left ventricular mass of adult Chinese using 2D-guided M-mode echocardiography. Of healthy Chinese adults (age 18 years and older) living in Hong Kong, 57 suitable participants (26 men, aged 35.7 ± 10.2 years; 31 women, aged 44.2 ± 8.5 years) were recruited. The results indicated that the mean sizes of the aortic root, left ventricular wall thickness, and left ventricular mass of Chinese men were significantly larger than those of Chinese women. Left ventricular mass of the Chinese sample population (men, 116.0 ± 20.6 g; women, 99.8 ± 20.9 g) was significantly smaller than US-based studies. The conclusions drawn are of clinical importance, especially in the assessment and management of hypertensive cardiac effects. The results of this study strongly indicate the need for a large-scale study to further establish ethnic-specific and gender-specific echocardiographic reference values for the Chinese population.