Cor Vasa 2014, 56(6):e471-e477 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2014.05.004

Ventricular twist in isolated left ventricular noncompaction

Jana Rudolecká^a,*, Tomáš Veiser^a, Jiří Plášek^a, Miroslav Homza^a, Jana Fürstová^b

^a Kardiovaskulární oddělení, Lékařská fakulta Ostravské univerzity a Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava, Ostrava, Česká republika

^b Katedra matematické analýzy a aplikací matematiky, Přírodovědecká fakulta Univerzity Palackého, Olomouc, Česká republika

The study aimed at assessing the rotational motion of the left ventricle around the long axis in patients affected by isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) and comparing their results with those of healthy volunteers.

Patients and methods: The study comprised eight patients with LVNC confirmed by echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (mean age 41 ± 19 years; four males; left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] 45 ± 25%). The patients were divided into Group A with an LVEF above 50% (four patients; one male) and Group B with an LVEF below 50% (four patients; three males). For both groups, age- and sex-matched volunteers were found. The focus was on myocardial twist, rotation of the LV apex and base, times to reach maximal apical and maximal basal rotation and myocardial twist, as well as correlations between systolic function, rotation of individual planes and LV twist.

Results: When comparing LVNC patients with healthy volunteers, there were statistically significantly decreased systolic function (p = 0.004), larger diastolic dimension (p = 0.045) and decreased apical rotation (p = 0.01). Left ventricular twist was significantly decreased in the group of patients with LVNC and systolic dysfunction (p = 0.04). A statistically significant correlation was found between systolic function and LV apical rotation.

Conclusion: The study showed a significant decrease in apical rotation and twist mechanism of the LV as measured using two-dimensional speckle tracking in patients with LVNC and decreased LV systolic function. Measuring these parameters could contribute to more accurate diagnosis and risk stratification of patients affected by this condition.

Keywords: Speckle tracking echocardiography; Left ventricle twist; Isolated left ventricular noncompaction

Received: April 9, 2014; Accepted: May 16, 2014; Published: December 1, 2014  Show citation