Non-compaction cardiomyopathy in an asymptomatic athlete

Abstract

Prevention of sudden cardiac death in athletes requires the screening and recognition of pathologies that often remain clinically silent for years until provoked by a physiologic stressor. This can result in the manifestation of disease and even death. Left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC), newly classified as a distinct entity arising in the adult population, is a cardiomyopathy that at initial presentation can manifest as a wide spectrum of symptoms from asymptomatic to ventricular arrhythmias, systemic embolism and even sudden cardiac death. We present the case of an asymptomatic athlete found to have LVNC and discuss the implications this finding may have on sports participation.

Left Ventricular Non-compaction Cardiomyopathy: Delayed Diagnosis and Deleterious Outcomes

“…However, in our patient's case, a transthoracic echocardiogram with definity contrast did not reveal non-compaction. The accepted echocardiographic diagnostic criteria by Jenni et al are (1) the absence of coexisting cardiac anomalies; (2) the presence of multiple, prominent trabeculations; (3) multiple deep intertrabecular recesses filled with blood from the ventricular cavity, as demonstrated by colour Doppler imaging; and (4) the maximal end-systolic ratio of NC endocardial layer to the compacted myocardium (C) of NC to C ratio >2 [ 8 ]. These echocardiographic criteria were not met for our patient.…”