title: Insights from magnetic resonance imaging of left ventricular non-compaction in adults of North African descent.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a recently recognized rare disorder. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may help to clarify the uncertainties related to this genetic cardiomyopathy. Despite the fact that many articles have been published concerning the use of MRI in the study of LVNC, there is a lack of data describing the disease in the North African population. The aim of our study is to clarify MRI findings of LVNC in North African patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our retrospective cohort, twelve patients (7 male, mean age 53 ± 8 years) underwent MRI for suspected LVNC. Correlations were investigated between the number of non-compacted segments per patient and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), then between the number of non-compacted segments and left ventricular end diastolic diameter. The presence or absence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was qualitatively determined for each left ventricular myocardial segment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Non-compaction was more commonly observed at the apex, the anterior and the lateral walls, especially on their apical and mid-cavity segments. 83% of patients had impaired LVEF. There was no correlation between the number of non-compacted segments per patient and LVEF (r = -0.361; p = 0.263), nor between the number of non-compacted segments per patient and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (r = 0.280; p = 0.377). LGE was observed in 22 left ventricular segments. No association was found between the pattern of fibrosis and non-compaction distribution (OR = 2.2, CI [0.91-5.55], p = 0.076).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The distribution of LVNC in North African patients does not differ from other populations. Ventricular dysfunction is independent from the number of non-compacted segments. Myocardial fibrosis is not limited to non-compacted areas but can extend to compacted segments.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology B Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lachhab
authors.affiliation: Cardiology B Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Nawal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Doghmi
authors.affiliation: Radiology Nakhil Department, Agdal Clinic, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Youssef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Elfakir
authors.affiliation: Radiology Nakhil Department, Agdal Clinic, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Taoussi
authors.affiliation: Military Cardiology Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Aatef
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benyass
authors.affiliation: Cardiology B Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Laila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haddour
authors.affiliation: Cardiology B Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Jamila
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zarzur
authors.affiliation: Cardiology B Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Rhizlane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cherradi
authors.affiliation: Cardiology B Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Ibtissam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fellat
authors.affiliation: Cardiology B Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Aicha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aouad
authors.affiliation: Cardiology B Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Fedoua
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ellouali
authors.affiliation: Military Cardiology Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Ilyas
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Asfalou
authors.affiliation: Cardiology B Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elmajhad
authors.affiliation: Cardiology B Department, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cherti