title: Unmet needs in the cardiologic and neurologic work-up of left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Left-ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT) is a rare myocardial abnormality of the distal left ventricular myocardium, which may be complicated by functional abnormalities such as heart failure, arrhythmias, or thrombus formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review discusses unsolved issues concerning LVHT, such as the lack of uniformly accepted diagnostic criteria, the unclear pathogenesis of LVHT, the relevance of clinical manifestations of LVHT as prognostic factors, the unclear association between LVHT and neuromuscular disorders, and the question which therapy LVHT patients should receive. Expert commentary: Despite controversy about these unsolved issues, there is consensus, however, that investigations need to be encouraged and undertaken which address the many open questions. This may help to prevent misdiagnosing or overdiagnosing LVHT, clarify etiology and pathomechanisms of LVHT, estimate the prognosis and outcome of these patients, identify the relevance of the association with certain neuromuscular disorders, chromosomal defects, and mutations, and to provide the optimal treatment and care.
authors.affiliation: a 2nd Medical Department with Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine , Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung , Vienna , Austria.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stöllberger
authors.affiliation: b Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung , Vienna , Austria.
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Finsterer
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003935:Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular; D019468:Disease Management; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis
keywords: Non-compaction; arrhythmias; cardiac MRI; cardiomyopathy; diagnostic criteria; echocardiography; embolism; heart failure; left ventricular hypertrabeculation; neuromuscular