Right Ventricle to Left Ventricle (RV/LV) Ratio on Echocardiography: Explanation and Clinical Context The RV/LV ratio is a measurement derived from echocardiography that compares the end-diastolic diameter of the right ventricle (RV) to the left ventricle (LV). It is widely used to assess right ventricular dilation, which can occur in conditions such as acute pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, and post-myocardial infarction with RV involvement.
A normal RV/LV ratio is generally <0.9. Ratios approaching 1 indicate mild RV enlargement, while ratios >1 are associated with significant RV dilation and worse clinical outcomes, including higher risk of mortality and adverse events.
This tool allows clinicians to quickly calculate the RV/LV ratio from echocardiographic measurements, providing an objective assessment of RV size relative to the LV.
Reference:
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