Isolated left ventricular abnormal trabeculation: follow-up and association with neuromuscular disorders.

OBJECTIVES

To assess in patients with isolated left ventricular abnormal trabeculation (ILVAT), by a prospective follow-up study, whether the echocardiographic appearance of ILVAT changes, whether cardiac symptoms change, how many patients are hospitalized because of cardiac problems or die, and whether ILVAT is associated with neuromuscular disorders in all patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ILVAT was diagnosed in 33 patients--nine women and 24 men--aged 30 to 73 years. At baseline, all patients underwent a cardiological and neurological investigation. Between October and December 1999 they were invited for a clinical and echocardiographic follow-up. results: During a mean follow-up duration of 19 months, ILVAT remained unchanged. Cardiac symptoms worsened in one patient and improved in 10. Five patients were hospitalized and four patients died, two of them suddenly. ILVAT was associated with neuromuscular disorders in 26 patients (81%). conclusions: Although ILVAT does not change over time, cardiac function may deteriorate. Because the rate of arrhythmias is high and even causes death in some patients, effective antiarrhythmic therapy should be considered. ILVAT is assumed to be a cardiac manifestation of a neuromuscular disorder or a special type of a cardiomyopathy.