Objectives:

This study was designed to determine the most appropriate method to normalize left ventricular mass for body size.
Background. Left ventricular mass has been normalized for body weight, surface area or height in experimental and clinical studies, but it is uncertain which of these approaches is most appropriate.

Methods:

Three normotensive population samples-in New York City (127 adults), Naples, Italy (114 adults), and Cincinnati, Ohio (444 infants to young adults}-were studied by echocardiography. Relations of left ventricular mass to body size were similar in all normal weight groups, as assessed by linear and nonlinear regression analysis, and results were pooled (n = 611).