THE CARDIAC DIMENSIONS USING CTR AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH DOMINANT BODY SOMATOTYPES

Abstract Background: Echocardiography and chest radiography are two common imaging modalities for measuring the size of the heart in low resource environment and on bedsides. This study was designed to determine cardiac dimensions using chest and echocardiographic parameters in individuals with dominant body somatotypes in apparently healthy subjects in selected centers in Anambra State. Materials and methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in some selected healthcare facilities that have X-rays and Echocargiography machines in Nnewi and Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Standard protocols for Chest X-rays and Echocardiography were adopted for the examinations and data such as demographic variables (age, gender), body mass index (BMI), cardiac dimensions and somatotype of the participants were recorded for analysis. Results: Interventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVSd) was similar across groups, with mean values of 8.91 ± 1.51 mm in ectomorphs, 9.07 ± 1.51 mm in endomorphs, and8.73 ± 1.19 mm in mesomorphs. Posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWDd) showed minimal differences among somatotypes, with mean values of 9.73 ± 1.22 mm in ectomorphs, 9.69 ± 1.39 mm in endomorphs, and 9.56 ± 1.19 mm in mesomorphs. In systole (LVPWDs), endomorphs demonstrated slightly higher values (10.56 ± 1.01 mm) compared with ectomorphs (10.50 ± 1.28 mm) and mesomorphs (10.16 ± 1.21 mm). There were significant differences for right ventricular diameter in diastole (RVDd), F(2, 207) = 24.89, p < .001, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), F(2, 207) = 12.95, p < .001 and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR), F(2, 207) = 9.85, p < .001. Conclusion: Cardiac dimensions across mesomorph, endomorph, and ectomorph somatotypes indicates significant differences for right ventricular diameter in diastole (RVDd), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and cardiothoracic ratio (CTR).