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Isolated ventricular non-compaction: clinical study and genetic review
Grazyna Markiewicz-Loskot1, Ewa Moric-Janiszewska, Maria Loskot
1Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 16, 40-752 Katowice, Poland. ejaniszewska@slam.katowice.pl
Insights
Isolated non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium (INVM) is a rare congenital heart defect. This case study details a 3-year-old girl with INVM, presenting as restrictive cardiomyopathy, who improved with treatment and maintained normal development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Isolated non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium (INVM), or spongy myocardium, is a rare congenital cardiomyopathy.
- It is characterized by the arrest of myocardial morphogenesis, occurring without other structural heart defects.
- INVM can manifest from infancy to young adulthood, often with high mortality rates.
Observation:
- A 3-year-old girl presented with heart failure at 10 months old.
- Diagnosis of INVM affecting both ventricles was confirmed via two-dimensional echocardiography.
- The condition presented as restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Findings:
- The patient received treatment including dopamine, digoxin, furosemide, spironolactone, and acenocoumarol, leading to clinical improvement.
- Following treatment, the girl remained asymptomatic.
- A 3-year follow-up indicated nearly normal development.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for successful management of INVM in pediatric patients.
- Early diagnosis and comprehensive treatment can lead to improved outcomes and normal development.
- Further research into the genetic underpinnings of INVM is warranted to understand its pathogenesis and inform therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Isolated non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium (INVM), sometimes referred to as 'spongy myocardium', is a congenital and exceedingly rare cardiomyopathy. Isolated ventricular non-compaction occurs in the absence of other structural heart diseases and, hypothetically, it is due to the arrest of myocardial morphogenesis. Isolated non-compaction of the ventricular myocardium may manifest itself from infancy to young adulthood with a high mortality rate. Both sexes are affected. In our study, we present a case of INVM (left and right ventricles) in a 3-year-old girl, diagnosed by two-dimensional echocardiography. The anomaly presented as a restrictive cardiomyopathy. The girl was admitted to our hospital with heart failure, when she was 10 months old. She was treated with dopamine, digoxin, furosemide, spironolactone, and acenocoumarol and her condition improved. Presently, the girl remains asymptomatic and for 3 years of follow-up, her development has been almost normal. We here describe the genetic background of this disorder (based on a literature review).
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