Left Ventricular Chamber Geometry in Cardiomyopathies: Insights from a Computerized Anatomical Study

Figure 1. (A) Posterior view of ventricular chamber. Schematic representation of the three predetermined points for ventricular slicing: basal, equatorial, and apical slices were performed at 20%, 50%, and 80%, respectively, from the atrioventricular sulcus to the ventricular apex. (B) Ventricular segmental slices from basal face view.

Figure 2. Spherical shape hypothesis: the longitudinal axis (green arrow) of the left ventricle in dilated specimens is considered as the sphere diameter. The white lines refer to the calculated perimeters from this hypothetical sphere in the three levels (expected perimeters). These are compared with the blue lines measured in the same levels in that specimen (observed perimeters).

Figure 3. Graphic representation of one sphere with the variables of the equation for determination of expected segmental perimeters. AV‐AP length: distance from the atrioventricular sulcus to apical ventricular extremity. R: ½ measured longitudinal ventricular axis = equatorial radius. r: basal and apical expected radius = √(R 2 − d 2). d: the perpendicular distance from the equatorial plane to the segmental basal/apical plane = 30% of longitudinal axis.

Figure 4. Each segment (apical, equatorial, and basal), in ischaemic and idiopathic groups, represented (in percentage) of the same segment in the hypothesis of a perfect sphere (spherical dilatation).

Figure 5. Apical and basal segments represented (in percentage) of the equatorial segment in each groups and a comparison of their relations among the groups. Differences among the groups: *P = 0.89; **P = 0.99; ***P < 0.001.

Figure 6. Internal validity general model (with the observed measures). (A) Ventricular chamber in normal and dilated specimens. Scale is represented in the inferior right corner. (B) Septal and lateral ventricular walls width in normal and dilated specimens. (C) Anterior and posterior ventricular walls width in normal and dilated specimens.

Figure 7. Sweet pepper–avocado theory, the left ventricular chamber dilatation phenomenon.