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Published on: April 21, 2014
Isolated left ventricular noncompaction: an unclassified cardiomyopathy with severe prognosis in adults
Angelos Rigopoulos1, Ioannis K Rizos, Constadina Aggeli
1Department of Cardiology, University of Athens, Greece. arigopoulos@hotmail.com
Insights
Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium is a rare congenital heart defect diagnosed in children and adults. This condition involves prominent heart muscle trabeculations and deep recesses, often leading to misdiagnosis due to its rarity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (NVM) is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy.
- It arises from an arrest in intrauterine endomyocardial morphogenesis, affecting both pediatric and adult populations.
Observation:
- NVM presents with varied onset, commonly manifesting as heart failure, ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and thromboembolic events.
- Diagnostic criteria include prominent ventricular trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses perfused from the ventricular cavity, typically in left ventricular apical and midventricular segments.
Findings:
- Echocardiography can reveal characteristic features suggestive of NVM.
- However, the condition's rarity and unique presentation contribute to frequent misdiagnosis or delayed recognition.
Implications:
- Increased awareness and understanding of NVM are crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
- Further research into its genetic underpinnings and developmental pathways may improve diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy, which appears to represent an arrest in intrauterine endomyocardial morphogenesis. It is diagnosed both in children and adults. Its common presentation involves heart failure symptoms, ventricular tachyarrhythmias and thromboembolic events, but the age of onset varies widely. The diagnosis is made by the combined appearance of numerous, excessively prominent trabeculations and multiple deep intertrabecular recesses perfused from the ventricular cavity, commonly involving the apical and midventricular segments of the left ventricle. Although the peculiar echocardiographic picture may possibly lead to the correct diagnosis, this condition may be often misdiagnosed or unrecognized since it is not widely known.
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