Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction and neuromuscular disorders in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Objective - Our aim was to assess 1) the association of idiopathic dilative cardiomyopathy (IDC) and left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT), 2) the use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in IDC and 3) the association of IDC and neuromuscular disorders (NMD). Methods - Patients in whom coronary heart disease had been excluded by coronary angiography and whose left ventricular end diastolic diameter was >59 mm and fractional shortening <25% with no other causes of cardiac dysfunction, were invited to participate. Results - Among 25 patients, 18 refused CMRI (claustrophobia n = 13, inability to lie flat n = 5), thus 7 patients (2 female, 47-66 years) were included. LVHT was found in 5/7 cases. In 4/5 patients who were neurologically investigated, a NMD was found. In 2/7 cases echocardiography failed to visualise the ventricular apex. Conclusions - Patients with IDC should be investigated neurologically. In IDC patients with poor echocardiographic quality CMRI should be applied.