PMID: 15368805Sep 17, 2004Paper

Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction and neuromuscular disorders in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Acta Cardiologica
Claudia StöllbergerJosef Finsterer

Abstract

Our aim was to assess 1) the association of idiopathic dilative cardiomyopathy (IDC) and left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT), 2) the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in IDC and 3) the association of IDC and neuromuscular disorders (NMD). Patients in whom coronary heart disease had been excluded by coronary angiography and whose left ventricular end diastolic diameter was > 59 mm and fractional shortening < 25% with no other causes of cardiac dysfunction, were invited to participate. Among 25 patients, 18 refused CMRI (claustrophobia n = 13, inability to lie flat n = 5), thus 7 patients (2 female, 47-66 years) were included. LVHT was found in 5/7 cases. In 4/5 patients who were neurologically investigated, a NMD was found. In 2/7 cases echocardiography failed to visualise the ventricular apex. Patients with IDC should be investigated neurologically. In IDC patients with poor echocardiographic quality CMRI should be applied.

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