Isolated left ventricular apical hypoplasia: a new congenital anomaly described with cardiac tomography

Heart. 2004 May;90(5):552-5. doi: 10.1136/hrt.2003.010637.

Abstract

Objective: To describe cardiac tomography findings of an apparently new, presumably congenital, left ventricular (LV) abnormality noted consistently in three patients.

Patients: Three patients presenting with non-specific symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort were evaluated with cardiac tomography for cardiac structure and function.

Results: Findings from the three patients were very similar: a truncated and spherical LV with abnormal diastolic and systolic function, invagination of fatty material into the myocardium of the defective LV apex, origin of a complex papillary network in the anteroapical LV, and an elongated right ventricle wrapping around the deficient apex.

Conclusions: Isolated LV apical hypoplasia is a unique, presumably congenital, cardiac anomaly that is an important condition to recognise.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods