FREQUENCY OF LEFT VENTRICULAR NON-COMPACTION IN PATIENTS WITH CONGESTIVE CARDIOMYOPATY

ABSTRACT
Background: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a recently and increasingly recognized form of cardiomyopathy.
It is caused by failure of developing myocardium to become compact thereby resulting in “spongy myocardium”.
The objective of this study was to find the frequency of left ventricular non compaction in patients with congestive
cardiomyopathy.
Material & Methods: This cross sectional study conducted in Cardiology Unit, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar
from March 2009 to August 2009. One hundred and fifty patients of congestive cardiomyopathy were included. Relevant
history about duration of symptoms and medication was obtained. ECG was recorded to rule out ischemic heart
disease. We confirmed congestive cardiomyopathy by echocardiography with left ventricular end diastolic dimension
of more than 5.6 cm and ejection fraction of less than 30%. Echo was carried out to determine the left ventricular wall
thickness, internal dimension and left ventricular non compaction of congestive cardiomyopathy of other causes were
excluded eg; ischemic heart disease, hypertension and valvular heart disease etc..
Results: One hundred and fifty individuals were included in this study. Male patients were 98 (65.3%) and female
were 52 (34.7%). Male to female ratio was about 3:1. Mean age was calculated as 54 years with standard deviation
as ±11.3. Thirteen (8.6%) patients were in age group between 20-40 years, followed by 101 (67.3%) patients in
range of 40-60 years and 36 (24%) patients were between 60-80 years. LV non compaction noted in 3 (2%) patients
out of 150 patients.
Conclusion: Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a form of cardiomyopathy that should be considered as a possible
diagnosis because of its potential complications. Echocardiography is the standard tool for diagnosis