CMR normal values

Cardiac MRI reference ranges by sex from the published normal-value papers: Kawel-Boehm 2025 (SCMR update), Maceira 2006 and Petersen 2017.

Normal published range, mean ± 2 SD · Mild >2 to 3 SD · Moderate >3 to 4 SD · Severe >4 SD · in the direction of abnormality, ↓ where low is abnormal

LVLV diametersWall thicknessRVLARAAortaPAStrainT1ECVT2T2*

Left ventricle, papillary muscles in the LV volume

Adults 20–83, pooled, 1.5T and 3T bSSFP. Papillary muscles and trabeculations in the blood pool. Table 3.

ParameterMean ± SDNormalMildModerateSevere
LVEDV (mL)M143 ± 3181–204204–236236–267>267
F113 ± 2368–158158–182182–205>205
LVEDV/BSA (mL/m²)M75 ± 1449–102102–117117–131>131
F68 ± 1146–9090–101101–112>112
LVESV (mL)M52 ± 1817–8888–106106–124>124
F39 ± 1314–6363–7878–91>91
LVESV/BSA (mL/m²)M28 ± 811–4444–5252–60>60
F23 ± 611–3636–4141–47>47
LVSV (mL)M91 ± 1953–128128–148148–167>167
F74 ± 1545–103103–119119–134>134
LVSV/BSA (mL/m²)M47 ± 930–6464–7474–83>83
F44 ± 829–6060–6868–76>76
LVEF (%) ↓M64 ± 751–7743–5136–43<36
F66 ± 654–7948–5442–48<42
LVM (g)M105 ± 2360–150150–174174–197>197
F74 ± 1447–101101–116116–130>130
LVM/BSA (g/m²)M55 ± 839–7272–7979–87>87
F45 ± 633–5656–6363–69>69

Left ventricle, papillary muscles in the LV mass

Adults 18–83, pooled, 1.5T and 3T bSSFP. Papillary muscles and trabeculations in the myocardium. Table 2.

ParameterMean ± SDNormalMildModerateSevere
LVEDV (mL)M147 ± 3383–211211–246246–279>279
F118 ± 2472–164164–190190–214>214
LVEDV/BSA (mL/m²)M75 ± 1546–104104–120120–135>135
F69 ± 1146–9191–102102–113>113
LVESV (mL)M51 ± 1620–8282–9999–115>115
F39 ± 1117–6060–7272–83>83
LVESV/BSA (mL/m²)M26 ± 811–4141–5050–58>58
F23 ± 611–3434–4141–47>47
LVSV (mL)M98 ± 2353–142142–167167–190>190
F79 ± 1647–111111–127127–143>143
LVSV/BSA (mL/m²)M50 ± 1030–6969–8080–90>90
F47 ± 831–6363–7171–79>79
LVEF (%) ↓M66 ± 753–7945–5338–45<38
F67 ± 655–8049–5543–49<43
LVM (g)M124 ± 2378–169169–193193–216>216
F87 ± 1852–123123–141141–159>159
LVM/BSA (g/m²)M64 ± 1044–8484–9494–104>104
F52 ± 935–6969–7979–88>88

Left ventricular diameters

End-diastolic, four-chamber (mitral annulus to apex transverse at the basal level) and short-axis (basal papillary level). Table 6.

ParameterMean ± SDNormalMildModerateSevere
LV end-diastolic 4ch (mm)M49 ± 539–5959–6464–69>69
F46 ± 536–5656–6161–66>66
LV end-diastolic SAX (mm)M52 ± 544–6161–6767–72>72
F48 ± 440–5656–6060–64>64

Left ventricular wall thickness

End-diastolic, short-axis bSSFP, AHA segments 1–16. Table 45.

ParameterMean ± SDNormalMildModerateSevere
Basal anterior (mm)M8.1 ± 1.55–1111–12.612.6–14.1>14.1
F6.6 ± 1.34–99–10.510.5–11.8>11.8
Basal anteroseptal (mm)M9.0 ± 1.66–1212–13.813.8–15.4>15.4
F7.4 ± 1.45–1010–11.611.6–13.0>13.0
Basal inferoseptal (mm)M8.9 ± 1.36–1111–12.812.8–14.1>14.1
F7.3 ± 1.15–99–10.610.6–11.7>11.7
Basal inferior (mm)M8.1 ± 1.36–1111–12.012.0–13.3>13.3
F6.6 ± 1.14–99–9.99.9–11.0>11.0
Basal inferolateral (mm)M7.8 ± 1.45–1111–12.012.0–13.4>13.4
F6.3 ± 1.24–99–9.99.9–11.1>11.1
Basal anterolateral (mm)M7.8 ± 1.45–1111–12.012.0–13.4>13.4
F6.4 ± 1.14–99–9.79.7–10.8>10.8
Mid anterior (mm)M7.0 ± 1.44–1010–11.211.2–12.6>12.6
F5.8 ± 1.24–88–9.49.4–10.6>10.6
Mid anteroseptal (mm)M7.5 ± 1.45–1010–11.711.7–13.1>13.1
F6.2 ± 1.24–88–9.89.8–11.0>11.0
Mid inferoseptal (mm)M8.0 ± 1.36–1111–11.911.9–13.2>13.2
F6.7 ± 1.14–99–10.010.0–11.1>11.1
Mid inferior (mm)M7.3 ± 1.54–1010–11.811.8–13.3>13.3
F6.1 ± 1.24–88–9.79.7–10.9>10.9
Mid inferolateral (mm)M6.8 ± 1.54–1010–11.311.3–12.8>12.8
F5.6 ± 1.33–88–9.59.5–10.8>10.8
Mid anterolateral (mm)M6.9 ± 1.54–1010–11.411.4–12.9>12.9
F5.8 ± 1.23–88–9.49.4–10.6>10.6
Apical anterior (mm)M6.7 ± 1.44–99–10.910.9–12.3>12.3
F6.0 ± 2.02–1010–12.012.0–14.0>14.0
Apical septal (mm)M6.9 ± 1.44–1010–11.111.1–12.5>12.5
F5.8 ± 1.23–88–9.49.4–10.6>10.6
Apical inferior (mm)M6.3 ± 1.34–99–10.210.2–11.5>11.5
F5.3 ± 1.13–77–8.68.6–9.7>9.7
Apical lateral (mm)M6.5 ± 1.44–99–10.710.7–12.1>12.1
F5.7 ± 1.14–88–9.09.0–10.1>10.1

Right ventricle

Adults 18–83, pooled, 1.5T and 3T bSSFP. Papillary muscles and trabeculations in the blood pool. Table 9.

ParameterMean ± SDNormalMildModerateSevere
RVEDV (mL)M152 ± 4074–231231–272272–312>312
F115 ± 2959–172172–202202–231>231
RVEDV/BSA (mL/m²)M82 ± 1847–116116–136136–154>154
F71 ± 1444–9999–113113–127>127
RVESV (mL)M65 ± 2026–104104–125125–145>145
F46 ± 1517–7575–9191–106>106
RVESV/BSA (mL/m²)M34 ± 916–5252–6161–70>70
F28 ± 813–4343–5252–60>60
RVSV (mL)M89 ± 2933–146146–176176–205>205
F71 ± 2032–109109–131131–151>151
RVSV/BSA (mL/m²)M48 ± 1421–7676–9090–104>104
F45 ± 1025–6464–7575–85>85
RVEF (%) ↓M58 ± 744–7237–4430–37<30
F61 ± 747–7540–4733–40<33

Left atrium

Maximum volume by biplane area-length, appendage excluded; area and diameter on bSSFP, appendage and pulmonary veins excluded. Tables 13 and 16.

ParameterMean ± SDNormalMildModerateSevere
Max LA volume (mL)M68 ± 2226–110110–134134–156>156
F60 ± 1726–9494–111111–128>128
Max LA volume/BSA (mL/m²)M36 ± 1016–5656–6666–76>76
F36 ± 918–5454–6363–72>72
Max LA area 4ch (cm²)M21 ± 413–2929–3333–37>37
F19 ± 411–2727–3131–35>35
Max LA area 4ch/BSA (cm²/m²)M11 ± 27–1515–1717–19>19
F11 ± 27–1616–1717–19>19
Max LA antero-posterior diameter 3ch (cm)M3.0 ± 0.52.0–4.04.0–4.54.5–5.0>5.0
F3.0 ± 1.02.0–3.93.9–6.06.0–7.0>7.0

Right atrium

Maximum volume by single-plane area-length on the four-chamber view, appendage excluded; area on bSSFP. Tables 18 and 21.

ParameterMean ± SDNormalMildModerateSevere
Max RA volume (mL)M70 ± 2814–125125–154154–182>182
F57 ± 1920–9595–114114–133>133
Max RA volume/BSA (mL/m²)M37 ± 1411–6464–7979–93>93
F35 ± 1015–5656–6565–75>75
Max RA area 4ch (cm²)M21 ± 511–3131–3636–41>41
F18 ± 411–2525–3030–34>34
Max RA area 4ch/BSA (cm²/m²)M11 ± 36–1616–2020–23>23
F11 ± 26–1515–1717–19>19

Aorta

Root on sagittal LVOT bSSFP at diastole, all ages pooled (Table 67); thoracic aorta on cross-sectional bSSFP at diastole (Table 64).

ParameterMean ± SDNormalMildModerateSevere
Aortic annulus diameter (mm)M23.0 ± 4.414–3232–36.236.2–40.6>40.6
F20.0 ± 3.114–2626–29.329.3–32.4>32.4
Aortic sinus diameter (mm)M31.9 ± 6.320–4444–50.850.8–57.1>57.1
F27.5 ± 5.118–3838–42.842.8–47.9>47.9
Aortic sinus diameter/BSA (mm/m²)M16.7 ± 1.913–2020–22.422.4–24.3>24.3
F16.9 ± 1.813–2020–22.322.3–24.1>24.1
Sinotubular junction diameter (mm)M24.9 ± 5.913–3737–42.642.6–48.5>48.5
F22.2 ± 4.713–3232–36.336.3–41.0>41.0
Ascending aorta diameter (mm)M26.7 ± 3.919–3535–38.438.4–42.3>42.3
F25.5 ± 3.718–3333–36.636.6–40.3>40.3
Proximal descending aorta diameter (mm)M20.6 ± 2.815–2626–29.029.0–31.8>31.8
F18.9 ± 2.015–2323–24.924.9–26.9>26.9
Distal descending aorta diameter (mm)M17.6 ± 2.612–2323–25.425.4–28.0>28.0
F16.4 ± 2.012–2020–22.422.4–24.4>24.4

Pulmonary arteries

Main and branch pulmonary arteries, cross-sectional bSSFP, ages 20–79 pooled. Table 83.

ParameterMean ± SDNormalMildModerateSevere
MPA systolic diameter (mm)M27.4 ± 2.622–3333–35.235.2–37.8>37.8
F25.3 ± 2.620–3131–33.133.1–35.7>35.7
MPA diastolic diameter (mm)M22.9 ± 2.418–2828–30.130.1–32.5>32.5
F21.2 ± 2.117–2525–27.527.5–29.6>29.6
RPA systolic diameter (mm)M20.2 ± 2.914–2626–28.928.9–31.8>31.8
F17.8 ± 2.413–2323–25.025.0–27.4>27.4
RPA diastolic diameter (mm)M16.6 ± 2.811–2222–25.025.0–27.8>27.8
F14.7 ± 2.210–1919–21.321.3–23.5>23.5
LPA systolic diameter (mm)M20.1 ± 2.415–2525–27.327.3–29.7>29.7
F18.4 ± 2.114–2323–24.724.7–26.8>26.8
LPA diastolic diameter (mm)M17.3 ± 2.512–2222–24.824.8–27.3>27.3
F15.9 ± 2.012–2020–21.921.9–23.9>23.9

Strain

Global peak strain by 2D feature tracking; values are software-specific. Table 102.

ChamberParameterAcquisitionSoftwareMean ± SD, %Normal
LVGlobal peak circumferential strainbSSFP2D FT/TTM−21.9 ± 4.4−30.6 to −13.2
F−23.7 ± 4.9−33.3 to −14.1
LVGlobal peak longitudinal strainbSSFP2D FT/TTM−18.7 ± 3.9−26.3 to −11.0
F−21.0 ± 4.1−29.1 to −12.8
LVGlobal peak circumferential strainbSSFP2D FT/CVIM−19.2 ± 2.0−23.1 to −15.2
F−21.7 ± 2.5−26.6 to −16.7
LVGlobal peak longitudinal strainbSSFP2D FT/CVIM−17.0 ± 2.8−22.5 to −11.6
F−19.6 ± 3.3−26.0 to −13.2
LVGlobal peak circumferential strainbSSFP2D FT/MedisM−23.7 ± 3.1−29.9 to −17.5
F−24.9 ± 3.1−31.1 to −18.7
LVGlobal peak longitudinal strainbSSFP2D FT/MedisM−21.6 ± 2.5−26.6 to −16.6
F−23.3 ± 2.9−29.1 to −17.5
RVGlobal peak circumferential strainbSSFP2D FT/CVIM−12.3 ± 3.9−20.1 to −4.5
F−14.2 ± 4.1−22.4 to −6.0
RVGlobal peak longitudinal strainbSSFP2D FT/CVIM−23.5 ± 4.4−32.2 to −14.8
F−25.6 ± 5.2−35.9 to −15.4
LAReservoir strainbSSFP2D FT/CVIM38.3 ± 8.720.9–55.7
F44.0 ± 9.924.2–63.8

Native T1

Septum, mid-ventricular short axis, by field strength, vendor and sequence. Site-specific ranges are recommended. Table 89.

FieldVendorSequenceMean ± SD, msNormal
1.5 TGEMOLLI 3b(3s)3b(3s)5b1027 ± 36956–1098
1.5 TPhilipsMOLLI 3b(2s)5b974 ± 45884–1064
1.5 TPhilipsMOLLI 3b(3s)3b(3s)5b967 ± 28911–1023
1.5 TSiemensMOLLI 5b(4b)2b996 ± 32933–1059
1.5 TSiemensMOLLI 5s(3s)3s1024 ± 39946–1102
1.5 TSiemensMOLLI 5b(3b)5b(3b)5b(3b)928 ± 25879–977
1.5 TSiemensMOLLI 3b(3s)3b(3s)5b952 ± 35883–1020
1.5 TSiemensShMOLLI 5b(1b)1b(1b)1b954 ± 41874–1034
1.5 TSiemensSASHA1144 ± 451054–1234
3 TPhilipsMOLLI 3b(3s)3b(3s)5b1057 ± 231011–1103
3 TSiemensMOLLI 5s(3s)3s1214 ± 391138–1289
3 TSiemensMOLLI 5b(3s)3b1180 ± 271126–1234
3 TSiemensMOLLI 5b(3b)3b1182 (1162–1200), median (IQR)–
3 TSiemensShMOLLI 5b(1b)1b(1b)1b1125 ± 451035–1215
3 TSiemensSASHA1494 ± 431408–1580

ECV

Septum, mid-ventricular short axis. Table 90.

FieldVendorSequenceMean ± SD, %Normal
1.5 TPhilipsMOLLI 3b(3s)3b(3s)5b27.7 ± 5.915.9–39.5
1.5 TSiemensMOLLI (native) 5s(3s)3sMOLLI (post GBCA) 4s(1s)3s(1s)2s27.3 ± 2.721.9–32.7
1.5 TSiemensMOLLI 3b(3s)3b(3s)5b25.0 ± 3.019.0–31.0
1.5 TSiemensShMOLLI 5b(1b)1b(1b)1b28.4 ± 3.022.4–34.4
1.5 TSiemensSASHA24.1 ± 2.918.3–29.9
3 TSiemensMOLLI (native) 5s(3s)3sMOLLI (post GBCA) 4s(1s)3s(1s)2s27.3 ± 2.422.5–32.1
3 TSiemensMOLLI (native) 5b(3b)3bMOLLI (post GBCA) 4b(1b)3b(1b)2b28 (26–29), median (IQR)–
3 TSiemensShMOLLI 5b(1b)1b(1b)1b24.6 ± 2.519.6–29.6
3 TSiemensSASHA19.8 ± 1.816.2–23.4

T2

Septum, mid-ventricular short axis. Table 95.

FieldVendorSequenceMean ± SD, msNormal
1.5 TGET2 MEFSE52.1 ± 3.146–58
3 TPhilipsT2 GraSE45 ± 437–53
3 TSiemensT2-prepared bSSFP41 (40–43), median (IQR)–
3 TSiemensT2-prepared FLASH39.5 ± 1.836–43

T2*

Septum. Normal values from Table 99; iron grading from Table 100.

FieldT2*, ms
1.5TMedian (Q1, Q3)36.3 (31.6, 45.4)
3TMean ± SD25 ± 5
Myocardial ironT2* at 1.5TT2* at 3T
Normal>20 ms>12 ms
Iron overload10–20 ms5.5–12 ms
Severe iron overload<10 ms<5.5 ms

Pooled published CMR cohorts, adults, 1.5T and 3T bSSFP. Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance reference values, 2025 update. Kawel-Boehm et al, J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2025;27:101853. doi:10.1016/j.jocmr.2025.101853