Demographics and Clinical Characteristics of the Isolated Noncompaction of the Ventricular Myocardium

Abstract

Background. Echocardiography is a reliable procedure for the diagnosis of the isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (INVM). We studied the demographics and clinical characteristics of echocardiographically diagnosed INVM.Methods. We analyzed two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiograms in 16,623 consecutive patients from June 2000 to February 2005.Results. There were 99 INVM patients (68 males) with a prevalence was 0.6% (0.7% in males, 0.5% in females). Ten male patients had left ventricular dysfunction. Twenty-nine male patients and 10 female patients had mitral valve prolapse. Of 95 INVM patients, 38 male patients and 20 female patients had thoracic deformity, and 18 male patients and 7 female patients had thoracic deformity and mitral valve prolapse.Conclusions. Echocardiographically diagnosed INVM is not an uncommon disease. Left ventricular function is almost normal in many patients (86.9%). Thoracic deformity and/or mitral valve prolapse are often associated with INVM.