PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the association
between the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), transverse cardiac diameter
(TCD), and left ventricular (LV) size and systolic function in patients with
or without preserved LV ejection fraction (LVEF).
METHODS: A total of 181 subjects suspected with coronary artery
disease underwent chest radiography (CR) and dual source computed tomography
coronary angiography (DSCT-CA). TCD and CTR were derived from CR. The LV
size and systolic function parameters, such as LV end-diastolic volume
(LVEDV), LV end-systolic volume (LVESV) and LVEF were measured from DSCT-CA.
The association between TCD, CTR and LV size and systolic function
parameters were analyzed according to LVEF value (< 55%, depressed LVEF
group; versus ≥ 55%, preserved LVEF group).
RESULTS: Both TCD and CTR were higher in the depressed LVEF group
compared with the preserved LVEF group. Significant correlations were found
between TCD, CTR and LVEDV, LVESV, LVEF in depressed LVEF group. However,
there was no significant association detected between CTR and LV size and
systolic function parameters in preserved LVEF group. Both the LVEDV and
LVESV showed a positive correlation with TCD in preserved LVEF
group.
CONCLUTION: Although CTR was not a reliable indicator of
LV size and systolic function in patients with preserved LVEF, it was
correlated with LV size and LVEF in depressed LVEF patients. Furthermore,
TCD showed stronger correlations with LV size and systolic function even in
patients with preserved LVEF.
