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Morphological and Functional Assessment of the Right Ventricle Using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
New classification scheme of left ventricular noncompaction and correlation with ventricular performance
Adam R Belanger1, Marc A Miller, Usha R Donthireddi
1The Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
The American Journal of Cardiology
|June 24, 2008
Summary
Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) may be more common than previously thought. This study suggests LVNC exists on a spectrum, with severity linked to reduced heart function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is an emerging cardiac condition.
- The potential for LVNC to present as a disease spectrum requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and spectrum of isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC).
- To determine the functional consequences of LVNC, specifically its impact on ejection fraction.
- To establish classification schemes for LVNC severity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 500 transthoracic echocardiograms by two blinded reviewers.
- Assessment for LVNC presence, quality, and absence of co-existing cardiomyopathies.
- Measurement of noncompacted to compacted myocardium ratio (NC/C) and LVNC area for classification.
Main Results:
- 60 out of 380 patients (15.8%) exhibited evidence of LVNC.
- Patients were classified into control, mild, moderate, and severe LVNC groups based on NC/C ratio or LVNC area.
- A significant inverse correlation was observed between LVNC severity and ejection fraction.
Conclusions:
- Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is more prevalent than previously recognized.
- LVNC appears to exist on a spectrum of disease severity.
- The NC/C ratio and LVNC area provide viable methods for classifying LVNC severity.
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