A simplified left ventricular end-diastolic mean wall thickness-to-volume ratio estimated from left ventricular mass and end-diastolic volume distinguishes physiological from pathological hypertrophy

Left ventricular end-diastolic mean wall thickness (LVEDMWT) can be simply estimated from left ventricular mass and left ventricular end-diastolic volume with high accuracy and precision. Estimated LVEDMWT can in turn be used to calculate thickness-to-volume ratio (TVR) as a new index of relative wall thickness. The maximum TVR found in endurance athletes was lower than the upper limit for healthy normals. Therefore, increased TVR effectively rules out athlete's heart as an alternative diagnosis in patients with increased wall thickness.