18 LV non-compaction

Question 1

What is LVNC?

Answer 1

A cardiomyopathy in which the LV fails to compact/condense in utero. It is characterised by a LV with trabeculae and deep intertrabecular recesses.

Question 2

What are the echo characteristics of LVNC?

Answer 2

The LV myocardium is two layered with a thin (compacted) epicardial layer and a thicker (non-compacted) endocardial layer which is trabeculated deep intertrabecular recesses. The non-compacted layers are visualised at the apical and mid levels of the inferior and lateral walls.

In LVNC, the ratio between the non-compacted and compacted layers is greater than two (N/C >2).

LNVC is characterised by deep colour flow in the deep intertrabecular spaces and visualisation is improved with contrast.

LVNC is characterised by global and regional LV systolic dysfunction, thrombi, and papillary muscle abnormalities with functional MR.