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High prevalence of false chordae tendinae in patients without left ventricular tachycardia

Sarah K Gualano1, Steven F Bolling, David Gordon

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|February 17, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Left ventricular false chordae tendinae are common, found in 45% of hearts studied. Their prevalence was similar in patients with and without a history of ventricular tachycardia, suggesting previous studies may have overestimated their association with the condition.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiac Anatomy

Background:

  • Left ventricular (LV) false chordae tendinae (false chords) are suspected triggers for idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT).
  • The contribution of pretest bias to the observed association between false chords and ILVT remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the actual prevalence of false chords through direct inspection of the LV endocardium.
  • To assess if pretest bias influences the apparent link between false chords and ILVT.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective examination of 75 hearts (20 autopsy, 55 surgical mitral valve patients).
  • Identification and characterization of false chords.
  • Review of medical records for history of ventricular tachycardia (VT), including ILVT.

Main Results:

  • False chords were found in 45% of the 75 hearts studied (34/75).
  • Prevalence was 65% in autopsy specimens and 38% in surgical cases (P=0.07).
  • No significant difference in false chord prevalence was observed between patients with (60%) and without (44%) a history of VT (P=0.65).

Conclusions:

  • LV false chords are prevalent in approximately 45% of individuals without ILVT.
  • Previous studies may have overestimated the association between false chords and ILVT due to underestimating their prevalence in the general population.
Abstract

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