What is non compacted cardiomyopathy?
Non-compaction cardiomyopathy (NCM) is a myocardial disorder, which is thought to occur due to the failure of left ventricle (LV) compaction during embryogenesis, leading to distinct morphological characteristics in the ventricular chamber.
Is LVNC serious?
The initial diagnosis may be made at any age and many patients often go undiagnosed until later in life. Although some people with LVNC experience no symptoms, they may still be at risk for complications associated with the diagnosis. The most serious complication of LVNC is sudden cardiac arrest.
Is non compaction cardiomyopathy serious?
Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is a very rare congenital cardiomyopathy. It is a disease of endomyocardial trabeculations that increase in number and prominence. This cardiomyopathy carries a high risk of malignant arrhythmias, thromboembolic phenomenon and left ventricular dysfunction.
Can athletes heart be reversed?
However, one long-term study of elite-trained athletes found that dilation of the left ventricle was only partially reversible after a long period of deconditioning. This deconditioning is often met with resistance to the accompanying lifestyle changes.
What does non compaction mean?
Left ventricular noncompaction is a heart (cardiac) muscle disorder that occurs when the lower left chamber of the heart (left ventricle), which helps the heart pump blood, does not develop correctly. Instead of the muscle being smooth and firm, the cardiac muscle in the left ventricle is thick and appears spongy.
Is the right ventricle involved in non compaction cardiomyopathy?
The involvement of the right ventricle in the non-compaction process has been increasingly identified and the condition is now included among the cardiomyopathies. The nomenclature of this entity has been variable, being known as ‘spongy myocardium’ or ‘persistent embryonic myocardium’, but more frequently known as ‘LV non-compaction’ or NCM.
How is noncompaction cardiomyopathy classified by the American Heart Association?
The American Heart Association’s 2006 classification of cardiomyopathies considers noncompaction cardiomyopathy a genetic cardiomyopathy.
What is the life expectancy of non compaction cardiomyopathy?
Due to non-compaction cardiomyopathy being a relatively new disease, its impact on human life expectancy is not very well understood. In a 2005 study that documented the long-term follow-up of 34 patients with NCC, 35% had died at the age of 42 +/- 40 months, with a further 12% having to undergo a heart transplant due to heart failure.
Who was the first person diagnosed with non compaction cardiomyopathy?
Non-compaction cardiomyopathy was first identified as an isolated condition in 1984 by Engberding and Benber. They reported on a 33-year-old female presenting with exertional dyspnea and palpitations. Investigations concluded persistence of myocardial sinusoids (now termed non-compaction).