title: Adult left ventricular noncompaction: reappraisal of current diagnostic imaging modalities.
abstract: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) cardiomyopathy is morphologically characterized by prominent myocardial trabeculations and deep recesses. The precise stage of development and the natural history of the disorder are not fully understood. Studies in heart failure patients demonstrate a high prevalence of myocardial trabeculations, raising the potential diagnosis of LVNC. Given the high prevalence compared with other primary cardiomyopathies, it is unclear whether the myocardial morphology is representative of LVNC or merely epiphenomena associated with increased cardiac pre-load. Imaging modalities including echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging facilitate identification and assessment for LVNC; however, current diagnostic criteria are based on small cohorts and are liable to result in an overdiagnosis of LVNC. This review re-evaluates current diagnostic criteria and their potential impact on overdiagnosis of LVNC in low-risk populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: sabihagati@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Sabiha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gati
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ronak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rajani
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gerald S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Carr-White
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Chambers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004452:Echocardiography; D006801:Humans; D056830:Isolated Noncompaction of the Ventricular Myocardium / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: cardiac magnetic resonance; diagnosis; echocardiography; left ventricular noncompaction