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Intermediate Technical IVT

LVOT

Also written as: LVOT — Left Ventricular Outflow Tract

The anatomical region below the aortic valve through which blood exits the left ventricle.

Full Definition

The LVOT (Left Ventricular Outflow Tract) is the anatomical region of the left ventricle immediately below the aortic valve, bounded by the interventricular septum, anterior mitral valve leaflet, and left ventricular free wall. This area is crucial for stroke volume calculation in echocardiography, as LVOT diameter and velocity time integral measurements are used to determine cardiac output. LVOT obstruction can occur due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, discrete subaortic stenosis, or systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. The LVOT is typically measured in the parasternal long-axis view at the level of the aortic valve annulus, with normal diameters ranging from 1.8-2.4 cm in adults.

Usage

Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as LVOT in reports; critical for hemodynamic calculations.

In Context

  • "LVOT diameter measured 2.1 cm with a VTI of 22 cm, yielding a stroke volume of 76 mL." — Quantitative echocardiography report
  • "Dynamic LVOT obstruction was noted with peak gradients of 65 mmHg during Valsalva maneuver." — Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy evaluation

Also known as

subaortic region left ventricular outflow

Don't confuse with

aortic root RVOT aortic valve annulus

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