Compacting knowledge in left ventricular non-compaction.

Left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is morphologically characterized by excessive trabeculation of the left ventricular (LV) walls with deep intertrabecular recesses that communicate with the ventricular cavity but not with the coronary circulation. It is a relatively recently described anomaly, still with many uncertainties and the subject of intense controversy and debate: there is no consensus regarding disease pathophysiology, classification or diagnostic criteria. Additionally, it is sometimes doubted whether this entity really exists as a single disease. Though it has been thought to be a congenital heart disease resulting from incomplete morphogenesis of the endomyocardium, another theory argues that it is possible to acquire LVNC during life. Currently, it is recognized that physiological and pathophysiological processes associated with increased LV preload and afterload (including pregnancy, sports, chronic renal failure, sickle cell disease and heart valve disease) may lead to a cardiac morphology that also fulfills criteria for LVNC. LVNC is classified as a genetic cardiomyopathy by the American Heart Association, whereas the European Society of Cardiology includes LVNC in the group of unclassified cardiomyopathies. However, the most important and debated point of controversy concerns LVNC diagnostic criteria. The most