A rare case of isolated left ventricular non-compaction. Importance of image technology and disease awareness for a correct diagnosis.
In 1999 a 50-year-old man with sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia came to our institution for investigation using fundamental echocardiographic imaging. A diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with dilatation and apical thrombus was made. In 2003, a new echocardiographic machine equipped with second harmonic imaging modality became available and after a second investigation the diagnosis was changed to isolated left ventricular non-compaction. The echocardiogram showed hypertrabeculations involving not only the mid-septum but also the basal septum (anterior and posterior) and a thin epicardial layer without the thickened endocardial component.
Mariotti
Egidio
E
Cardiovascular Division, Emergency Department, Azienda Ospedaliera 'Ospedale San Salvatore', Pesaro, Italy. egmario@tin.it
Pierantozzi
Attilio
A
Bocconcelli
Paolo
P
D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital*; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000209:etiology; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*