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Isolated left ventricular noncompaction causing stroke in a 30-year-old woman: case report and literature review
Giselle A Baquero1, Dustin J Colegrove, Javier E Banchs
1Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-0850, USA. gbaquero@hmc.psu.edu
Insights
Isolated left ventricular noncompaction, a rare heart condition, can lead to stroke. This case highlights the need for better prevention strategies for thromboembolic events in affected patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (ILVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy.
- It presents with prominent ventricular trabeculations and intertrabecular recesses.
- Clinical issues include heart dysfunction, conduction problems, and embolic events.
Observation:
- A 30-year-old woman with a history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy experienced an ischemic stroke.
- She was diagnosed with isolated left ventricular noncompaction.
- Thrombus formation in recesses is the suspected cause of embolic events.
Findings:
- Evidence-based guidelines for preventing thromboembolic events in ILVNC are lacking.
- This case underscores the potential link between ILVNC and cerebrovascular events.
- Literature review on ILVNC and associated embolic phenomena.
Implications:
- Further research is needed to establish preventative measures for thromboembolic events in ILVNC.
- Early diagnosis and management of ILVNC may reduce stroke risk.
- This case highlights the importance of considering ILVNC in young stroke patients.
Abstract:
Isolated left ventricular noncompaction is a rare form of cardiomyopathy characterized by prominent left ventricular trabeculations and intertrabecular recesses. The typical clinical manifestations are severe systolic and diastolic dysfunction, conduction abnormalities, and cardiac embolic events theorized to result from thrombus formation within the intertrabecular recesses. Evidence-based recommendations for preventing thromboembolic events in isolated left ventricular noncompaction have not been established. We report the case of a woman who, at 10 years of age, had been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without systolic dysfunction. At age 30, she presented with left hemiparesis consequent to a large right-hemispheric ischemic stroke, and she was diagnosed with isolated left ventricular noncompaction. In addition to discussing the patient's case, we review the medical literature that pertains to isolated left ventricular noncompaction.
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