Right ventricular involvement in left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy

Background: Left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) features extensive trabecu-lations. Involvement of the right ventricle (RV) has been reported; however, distinction from normal RV trabeculation is difficult. This study aimed at assessing RV morphology and function in LVNC by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Methods: Dimensional and functional parameters were assessed according to guidelines. Novel CMR parameters were RV end-diastolic (ED) trabeculated area, RV ED trabeculated volume, and RV ED non-compacted to compacted (NC/N) ratio in short axis (SAX) as well as in four-chamber view (4CH). Results: Twenty patients with LVNC and 20 controls were included. RV size and function were com-parable in LVNC and controls and exhibited a good correlation between TTE and CMR. Although RV trabeculated area, RV trabeculated volume, and RV ED NC/C ratio in SAX as well as in 4CH were larger in LVNC, there was a major overlap with values in controls. RV ED NC/C ratio in SAX cor-related with LV ED NC/C ratio (not in 4CH). Quantitative assessment of RV non-compaction was not feasible in TTE. Conclusions: Right ventricle size and function in LVNC can be measured by CMR and TTE, while RV trabeculation can only be quantified by CMR. RV myocardium displays more trabeculations in LVNC; however, overlap with normal individuals is extensive, not allowing separation of patients with LVNC from controls.

Automated summary

This study compared the morphology and function of the right ventricle (RV) in patients with left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC) using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). The results showed that RV trabeculation was more extensive in LVNC patients compared to normal individuals, but there was significant overlap, making it difficult to distinguish between the two groups.