Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) is a proven method for detecting myocardial fibrosis. Previous CMR studies described the distribution of LGE in patients with LVNC, however, it still remains unclear. The purpose of the study was to describe the distribution of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in patients meeting cardiovascular magnetic resonance criteria for left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC).

We retrospectively enrolled 15 patients adult patients (11 males and 4 females; mean age, 42 ± 13 years) considered to meet standard CMR criteria for LVNC. For each patient, cine and contrast-enhanced CMR images were analyzed to evaluate LV systolic function and the prevalence and extent of LGE. The presence or absence of LGE was qualitatively determined for each left ventricular myocardial segment.The ratio of non-compacted to compacted (NC/C) myocardium was measured for each involved myocardial segment in diastole, on short axis slices, and the...

Clinical characteristics Fifteen patients were considered to meet the criteria for LVNC, as assessed by CMR. The mean age was 42 ± 13 years (range, 25–64 years), and 11 patients (73%) were male. Most of the patients (67%) were seriously symptomatic (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional classes III/IV). All LGE(+) LVNC patients and 50% of LGE(−) LVNC patients showed abnormal ECG. Significant differences were found in the NYHA functional class and age between LGE(−) and LGE(+) LVNC patient groups. CMR imaging findings The mean...

LGE was most often observed in the ventricular septum with midmyocardial distribution. Distribution of LGE in patients with LVNC is observed in both non-compacted and compacted segments with prevalence of compacted zones. This maintenance the concept that LVNC is a diffuse process including both non-compacted and morphologically normal segments.

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