Left Ventricular Sphericity Index (LVSI): Explanation and Clinical Context The Left Ventricular Sphericity Index (LVSI) is a ratio of the left ventricular short-axis diameter to the long-axis length measured at end-diastole. It quantifies the geometric remodeling of the left ventricle from a normal ellipsoid shape toward a more spherical form.
A higher LVSI indicates a more spherical ventricle, which is often associated with adverse remodeling, reduced systolic function, and worse prognosis in patients with ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy. LVSI can provide incremental risk stratification beyond conventional measures such as ejection fraction.
The normal LVSI range is approximately 0.45–0.60; values above this suggest significant ventricular remodeling and may correlate with higher risk of heart failure progression and mortality.
Reference:
Kawel-Boehm N, et al. Normal Values for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Adults and Children. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson. 2015;17:29. doi:10.1186/s12968-015-0144-4
Kumar A, et al. LV Sphericity Index Predicts Outcome in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010;56:1952–1960. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2010.06.040