Echocardiographic Study of Left Ventricular False Tendons

Abstract

Introduction: Left ventricular false tendons (LVFTs) are discrete, fibromuscular structures of varying length and thickness that traverse the left ventricular (LV) cavity. The aim of the present study was to describe the echocardiographic characteristics and associations of 100 consecutive cases of LVFTs that presented to the echocardiography laboratory at a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. Subjects and Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with LVFTs were studied. They were classified based on the number (single and multiple), morphology (simple and complex), and location (apical, mid, and basal). The individuals were divided into three groups (Group 1: with LV dilatation and/or LV hypertrophy [LVH], Group 2: abnormal echocardiogram other than Group 1, and Group 3: normal echocardiogram). Analysis was done using SPSS 15 software. Results: A total of 121 LVFTs were identified in the 100 individuals. The LVFTs were more commonly single (81%), simple (92.56%), and apically located (52.90%). Complex LVFTs and apical location were more common among males, while multiple LVFTs and mid location were more common among females. LVFTs were most commonly visualized in the apical four-chamber view. There was a preponderance of males (67%), patients with structural heart disease (79%), and patients with LVH and/or dilatation (44%) in the study group. Conclusions: LVFTs are readily identifiable on echocardiography and can be characterized based on their number, location, and morphology. Their relationship to structurally abnormal hearts, male gender, LVH, and dilatation requires further study.

Keywords

• anatomy. echocardiography
• left ventricular false tendon