Left ventricular non‐compaction – diagnostic challenges (RCD code: III‐5A.1.o)

Left ventricular non‐compaction (LVNC), or “spongy myocardium”, is a rare cardiac morphological condition detected in 0.05–0.26% of all adults undergoing transthoracic echocardiography, with an increasing prevalence in the recent years. Our clinical case of a 54‐year‐old asymptomatic female illustrates the importance of additional cardiovascular imaging technologies in the diagnostic work‐up of the patient. The patient was referred to a cardiologist due to a left bundle branch block found on routine electrocardiogram examination. Transthoracic echocardiography did not reveal any specific changes, although a single photon emission computed tomography scan revealed a fixed myocardial perfusion defect. This defect was regarded as non‐typical for inducible myocardial ischaemia and indicative of a non‐specific cardiomyopathy. Further investigation using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the phenotype of LVNC. JRCD 2018; 3 (8): 271–274