Noncompaction of the Left Ventricular Myocardium: A Cause of Syncope in a Young Patient

Abstract

Noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathywith a spectrum of clinical presentations. The pathogenesis of this type of cardiomyopathyinvolves an arrest in the process of compaction during embryonic life. Identificationof high risk individuals with this syndrome is challenging; it can cause presentationsranging from an asymptomatic state to malignant ventricular arrhythmias and suddendeath. We present a 19-year-old man who presented with syncope and was later diagnosedwith left ventricular noncompaction.

Keywords

• cardiomyopathy
• echocardiography
• noncompaction