Calcified False Tendon Linked to Sudden Cardiac Death in a Young Adult: An Autopsy-based Case Report

Abstract

Left Ventricular False Tendons (LVFTs) are cord-like structures that traverse the cavity of the left ventricle, connecting the left ventricular free wall or papillary muscle and the ventricular septum without attachment to the mitral valve leaflets. They are incidentally found in autopsy heart specimens. False tendons are generally benign anatomic variants and can be associated with functional murmurs and electrocardiographic abnormalities. False tendons can also be a cause of ventricular arrhythmias. Two-dimensional echocardiography serves as a useful imaging modality in detecting false tendons. They should be differentiated from other entities such as thickened ventricular trabeculations, an accessory anterior mitral leaflet, thrombus, vegetation, and ventricular masses or tumours. Most LVFTs are transverse and are located in the apex. They are found to arise from the inner trabeculated layer of the myocardium. The exact prevalence of LVFTs remains unclear. Present report is a case of postmortem findings in the heart of a 34-year-old male who experienced a sudden collapse while walking after lunch. On gross examination, the left ventricular wall and the lower part of the interventricular septum showed focal grey-white areas. A well-defined, grey-white, hard polypoidal lesion was noted in the left ventricle near the apex, attached to the papillary muscles. The left anterior descending artery showed early atherosclerotic changes. LVFT was diagnosed, which could have been the reason for the arrhythmia. Hence, the evaluation of cardiac murmurs and arrhythmias by two-dimensional echocardiography and cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) serves as helpful parameters in detecting LVFTs.