Right ventricular volume determination in isolated human hearts.

For right ventricular volume determination a new method was developed that took into account right ventricular imaging by apical two-dimensional echocardiography in the four- and two-chamber views. Right ventricular volume was calculated by subtraction of the partial volume of the left ventricle and interventricular septum from the total heart volume of the right and left ventricles including the interventricular septum. Accuracy of the subtraction method was evaluated in isolated human hearts by two-dimensional echocardiography and radiography.

[Right ventricular volume determination by two-dimensional echocardiography and radiography in model hearts using a subtraction method].

The irregularity and complexity of the right ventricle is the reason why no accurate method for right ventricular volume determination exists. A new method for right ventricular volume determination particularly for two-dimensional echocardiography was developed-it is called subtraction method-and was compared with the pyramid and Simpson's methods. The partial volume of the left ventricle and septum was subtracted from total volume of right and left ventricle including interventricular septum.