Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Decellularization of the Murine Cardiopulmonary Complex
Published on: May 30, 2021
Left ventricular trabeculation and major adverse cardiovascular events: the Copenhagen General Population Study
Per E Sigvardsen1,2, Andreas Fuchs1, Jørgen T Kühl1
1Department of Cardiology, The Heart Center, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Increased left ventricular trabeculation, a common trait in heart disease, is linked to a higher risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in the general population. This finding highlights trabeculation as a potential indicator for cardiovascular risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Public Health
Background:
- Prominent left ventricular trabeculations are a known phenotypic trait in cardiovascular diseases.
- The variability of left ventricular trabeculations in the general population is significant, but its association with adverse outcomes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between left ventricular trabeculated mass and major adverse cardiovascular events in the general population.
- To determine if increased left ventricular trabeculation independently predicts adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography was used to measure left ventricular trabeculated mass in 10,097 individuals.
- Cox regression models were employed to analyze the association between trabeculated mass and a composite endpoint of major adverse cardiovascular events (death, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke).
- Analyses were adjusted for relevant clinical parameters, medical history, electrocardiographic findings, and cardiac chamber sizes.
Main Results:
- The mean left ventricular trabeculated mass was 19.1 g/m2 (SD 4.9 g/m2).
- During a median follow-up of 4.0 years, individuals in the highest quartile of left ventricular trabeculated mass had a 1.64-fold increased hazard for major adverse cardiovascular events compared to the lowest quartile.
- Significantly higher risks were observed for death (HR 2.08) and heart failure (HR 2.63) in the highest trabeculation quartile, while risks for myocardial infarction and stroke were not significantly increased.
Conclusions:
- Increased left ventricular trabeculation is independently associated with a higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events in the general population.
- Left ventricular trabeculated mass may serve as a valuable imaging biomarker for cardiovascular risk stratification.
Aims:
Prominent left ventricular trabeculations is a phenotypic trait observed in cardiovascular diseases. In the general population, the extent of left ventricular trabeculations is highly variable, yet it is unknown whether increased trabeculation is associated with adverse outcome.
Methods And Results:
Left ventricular trabeculated mass (g/m2) was measured with contrast-enhanced cardiac computed tomography in 10 097 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study. The primary endpoint was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events and defined as death, heart failure, myocardial infarction, or stroke. The secondary endpoints were the individual components of the primary endpoint. Cox regression models were adjusted for clinical parameters, medical history, electrocardiographic parameters, and cardiac chamber sizes. The mean trabeculated mass was 19.1 g/m2 (standard deviation 4.9 g/m2). During a median follow-up of 4.0 years (interquartile range 1.5-6.7), 710 major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in 619 individuals. Individuals with a left ventricular trabeculated mass in the highest quartile had a hazard ratio for major adverse cardiovascular events of 1.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30-2.08; P < 0.001] compared to those in the lowest quartile. Corresponding hazard ratios were 2.08 (95% CI 1.38-3.14; P < 0.001) for death, 2.63 (95% CI 1.61-4.31; P < 0.001) for heart failure, 1.08 (95% CI 0.56-2.08; P = 0.82) for myocardial infarction, and 1.07 (95% CI 0.72-1.57; P = 0.74) for stroke.
Conclusion:
Increased left ventricular trabeculation is independently associated with an increased rate of major adverse cardiovascular events in the general population.
