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Left ventricular noncompaction: a cardiomyopathy often mistaken
Jyoti C Suvarna1, Chandrahas T Deshmukh, Shalini A Hajela
1Department of Pediatrics, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India.
Insights
Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare genetic heart defect. This study highlights two pediatric cases in India, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis due to its high mortality and potential for familial occurrence.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare genetic cardiomyopathy.
- It results from a defect in endomyocardial morphogenesis during embryonic development.
- LVNC can be isolated or associated with other congenital heart defects.
Observation:
- LVNC is characterized by prominent ventricular trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses.
- Clinical manifestations include heart failure, arrhythmias, and thromboembolism, often leading to misdiagnosis.
- Familial occurrence and high mortality underscore the need for timely diagnosis.
Findings:
- Presents two pediatric cases from India, one familial with embolism and atrial flutter, the other a 4-month-old with heart failure.
- The familial case involved an 11-year-old girl who experienced sudden death, a known complication of LVNC.
- The mother of the 11-year-old had asymptomatic LVNC, indicating potential for varied clinical presentation.
Implications:
- Highlights the rarity of pediatric LVNC cases reported in India.
- Emphasizes the diagnostic challenges and the importance of recognizing LVNC in pediatric patients presenting with heart failure or thromboembolic events.
- Suggests increased awareness and genetic counseling for families with suspected or confirmed LVNC.
Abstract:
Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare genetic cardiomyopathy postulated to be a defect in endomyocardial morphogenesis due to the embryonic arrest of the compaction of myocardial fibers. It could be isolated, without other structural heart defects; or associated with congenital heart defects. It is characterized by prominent ventricular myocardial trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses. The clinical manifestations, i.e., heart failure, arrhythmias or thromboembolism, overlap with those of other cardiac disorders. It is often misdiagnosed as restrictive or dilated cardiomyopathy. The high mortality and morbidity associated with it and familial occurrence make diagnosis important. Only 3 pediatric cases have been reported from India. We present 2 cases, that of an 11-year-old girl (familial case) with embolism (documented but rare in children) and atrial flutter (not yet reported), with mother having asymptomatic LVNC; and that of a 4-month-old girl. Both presented with heart failure. The 11-year-old child had sudden death, known to occur in LVNC.
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