The role of multimodality imaging in the diagnosis of left ventricular noncompaction. (14th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rao, Karan; Bhaskaran, Ashwin; Choudhary, Preeti; Tan, Timothy C.
• Is Part Of: European journal of clinical investigation. Volume 50:Number 9(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-05-14
• Subjects: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging -- cardiomyopathy -- computed tomography -- echocardiography -- left ventricular noncompaction; Pathology -- Periodicals; Medical research -- Periodicals; 616.075
• DOI: 10.1111/eci.13254
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0014-2972

Abstract

Abstract: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a heterogeneous entity and, in reality, a likely spectrum of disease which is clinically associated with arrhythmia, thromboembolic complications and sudden cardiac death. With the emergence of cardiac MRI (cMRI), the phenotype is increasingly more prevalent, resulting in clinical uncertainty regarding prognosis and management. The currently accepted hypothesis suggests an early embryonic arrest of the normal, sequential myocardial compaction process. LVNC is observed in isolation or in association with congenital heart disease, neuromuscular disease or a vast array of genetic cardiomyopathies. Definition of the entity varies among international society guidelines with differences both within and between imaging modalities, predominantly echocardiography and cMRI. Long‐term prognostic data are emerging but due to the intrinsic variability in reported prevalence, selection bias and lack of pathological to prognostic correlation, there are many uncertainties regarding clinical management. This review seeks to clarify the role of multimodality imaging in diagnosis and management of the disease. We discuss the sensitivity and specificity of the current diagnostic criteria, as well as the nuances in diagnosis using the available imaging modalities.