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Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension and Assessment of Right Ventricular Function in the Piglet
Published on: November 4, 2015
Stroke and embolism in patients with left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction
Katja Schiebel1, Josef Finsterer1, Patrick Lazarevic2
1Klinik Landstraße, Juchgasse 25, Steingasse 31/18, Wien A-1030, Österreich.
Insights
Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT) patients with stroke or embolism (S/E) have more cardiovascular risk factors. LVHT alone is a minor risk factor for S/E, necessitating etiological investigations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Genetics
Background:
- Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT) is a rare congenital heart condition characterized by excessive trabeculations in the left ventricle.
- LVHT has been anecdotally associated with an increased risk of stroke or embolism (S/E).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the characteristics and prognosis of LVHT patients with and without S/E.
- To identify potential risk factors for S/E in LVHT patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of consecutive LVHT patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2020.
- Collection of baseline characteristics and follow-up data.
- Etiology of S/E assessed using Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria.
Main Results:
- Out of 319 LVHT patients, 49 (15%) experienced S/E (44 stroke, 3 peripheral embolism, 2 both).
- Patients with S/E were older and had higher rates of arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, neuromuscular disorders, and heart transplantation.
- Cardioembolic causes accounted for the majority of S/E (n=32), but other etiologies were also identified.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular risk factors are more prevalent in LVHT patients who experience S/E.
- S/E in LVHT patients is not exclusively cardioembolic, underscoring the importance of etiological investigations.
- LVHT itself appears to be a minor risk factor for S/E.
Objectives:
Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction(LVHT) is characterized by extensive trabeculations. LVHT has been reported to be associated with stroke or embolism(S/E). Aim of the study was to compare characteristics and prognosis of LVHT-patients with and without S/E to identify potential risk factors for S/E.
Materials And Methods:
Retrospectively included were consecutive patients with echocardiographically diagnosed LVHT in a cardiologic department in 1995-2020. Baseline characteristics and follow-up data were collected. The etiology of S/E was assessed by applying the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment(TOAST) criteria.
Results:
The follow-up of 319 patients, mean age 53 years, 30% females, was 7.4 ± 6 years. In 49 patients(15%), either stroke(n = 44), peripheric embolism(n = 3) or both(n = 2) occurred. The etiology of S/E was cardioembolic(n = 32), atherothrombotic(n = 12), undetermined(n = 4) and intracerebral hemorrhage(n = 1). S/E occurred in 31 patients before, in 15 patients after and in 3 patients before as well as after the diagnosis of LVHT. Patients with S/E were older, suffered more frequently from arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, neuromuscular disorders and heart transplantation than patients without S/E. Of the patients with S/E, only 8% were without risk factors for S/E. For the patients in whom S/E occurred after the diagnosis of LVHT, the rate of S/E was 0.74%/year. The death rate was 4.17%/year in patients with and without S/E.
Conclusion:
Cardiovascular risk factors are more prevalent in LVHT-patients with than without S/E. S/E in LVHT-patients is not always cardioembolic why investigations for etiology are useful. LVHT by itself seems to be only a minor risk factor for S/E.
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