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Updated: May 29, 2026
06:34
Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
Left ventricular noncompaction and aneurysm revealed by left ventriculography
Costin Nicolae Ionescu1, Diane Turcot
1Section of Interventional Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baystate Medical Center-Tufts University, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. cnionescu@yahoo.com.
Summary
Left ventriculography (LVG) is crucial for diagnosing rare heart conditions like left ventricular noncompaction and aneurysm, even with prior noninvasive tests. This cardiac catheterization technique offers vital insights when noninvasive results are inconclusive.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Diagnostic Procedures
Background:
- Left ventriculography (LVG) is an invasive cardiac imaging technique.
- Noninvasive tests are often used to assess cardiac function, sometimes obviating the need for LVG.
- Rare cardiac pathologies may require advanced diagnostic modalities.
Observation:
- A rare case of coexisting left ventricular noncompaction and left ventricular aneurysm was observed.
- The diagnosis was established during a cardiac catheterization procedure.
- The patient presented with nonobstructive coronary artery disease and reduced ejection fraction on noninvasive testing.
Findings:
- Left ventriculography provided critical diagnostic information not fully captured by prior noninvasive tests.
- The combined presence of left ventricular noncompaction and aneurysm is an uncommon finding.
- LVG delineated the extent and morphology of both cardiac abnormalities.
Implications:
- LVG remains valuable in specific clinical scenarios, particularly when noninvasive findings are equivocal or suggest complex pathology.
- Consideration of LVG may be warranted in patients with unexplained decreased ejection fraction and nonobstructive coronary artery disease.
- This case highlights the importance of comprehensive diagnostic evaluation in cardiology.
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