LVVs

LVV is a common shorthand in cardiology for left ventricular volume, the amount of blood contained in the left ventricle at a given point in the cardiac cycle. The plural LVVs refers to measurements of left ventricular volumes across individuals or over time, including changes due to heart rate, loading conditions, or disease.

The left ventricle has two principal volumes: end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV). Stroke volume (SV) is the difference between EDV and ESV, and ejection fraction (EF) is the fraction of EDV ejected with each beat (EF = SV/EDV). In healthy adults, EDV is roughly 100–130 mL (about 90–110 mL in smaller individuals), ESV around 40–60 mL, and EF typically 55–70%. LVV values are often indexed to body surface area (LVV index) to allow comparison across people of different sizes.

LVV is assessed by imaging modalities such as echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT). These methods measure chamber dimensions and compute volumes, with MRI considered highly accurate. Reproducibility varies by method and operator.

Clinical relevance: Abnormal LVVs indicate cardiac conditions. Increased EDV with preserved EF suggests dilated remodeling or systolic dysfunction; reduced EDV or ESV can occur in restrictive or hypertrophic patterns. LVV changes may accompany myocardial infarction, valvular disease, or cardiomyopathy and are used to guide treatment and monitor progression.

Other uses: LVV as an acronym may appear in non-cardiac contexts, but in medical literature LVV or LVVs almost always refer to left ventricular volumes. See also related terms such as left ventricular end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, and ejection fraction.