Identification of benign form of ventricular non-compaction in competitive athletes by multiparametric evaluation

Exercise-induced left-ventricular hypertrabeculation in athlete's heart

“…Thus, our data, although limited to a small population of selected athletes, further support the interpretation of LV hypertrabeculation in athletes as a benign consequence of exercise conditioning, particularly in athletes of African/Afro-Caribbean origin. However, the diagnostic challenge remains in these athletes that often exhibit significant repolarization changes [4,6]. We confirmed and extended these previous findings, demonstrating that, in response to exercise, LV hypertrabeculation is accompanied also by dynamic changes in resting ECG, with African/ Afro-Caribbean athletes presenting marked repolarization patterns after training.…”

Left Ventricular Noncompaction Diagnosis and Management Relevant to Pre-participation Screening of Athletes

“…Gebhard et al 34 demonstrated that addition of the Jenni criteria to the thickness of compact layer (in noncompacted segments), with threshold value <8 mm in systole (in apical segments), helped the differentiation from normal hearts and proved to be accurate for LVNC diagnosis. Poscolieri et al 54 showed, in a group of 22 asymptomatic athletes with LV hypertrabeculation suggestive for LVNC, that a reduced thickness of the compact layer <5 mm in diastole was able to identify subject with decreased LV systolic function. Therefore, it appears that measurement of the compact layer may have an additional value in the risk stratification of LVNC, supporting the hypothesis that when the compact layer is not substantially decreased, trabeculations are likely not to be associated with negative outcome, whereas when the compact thickness is markedly reduced, CV complications are more likely to occur.…”

“…Therefore, it appears that measurement of the compact layer may have an additional value in the risk stratification of LVNC, supporting the hypothesis that when the compact layer is not substantially decreased, trabeculations are likely not to be associated with negative outcome, whereas when the compact thickness is markedly reduced, CV complications are more likely to occur. 3,34,54 Additionally, a clear abnormality of the LV filling pattern should be considered as evidence for a pathologic myocardial disease and poor outcome. Indeed, in the study by Oechlin et al, 28 all the evaluated patients had diastolic dysfunction.…”

Left ventricular noncompaction: a distinct cardiomyopathy or a composite anatomical syndrome?

“…НКМ нередко является случайной находкой при обследовании бессимптомного контингента (частота выявления у спортсменов достигает 8 %), исследователи при длительном наблюдении не обнаруживают у них функциональных и объемных изменений ЛЖ [15,20]. Такую гипертрабекулярность можно рассматривать, как доброкачественный синдром НКЛЖ [18], представляющий собой специфический механизм физиологической адаптации к чрезмерным физическим нагрузкам и который является составляющим компонентом сложного континуума формирования спортивного сердца [21].…”