MRI aspects of left ventricular non compaction (LVNC): About 3 cases from Sub-Saharan Africa and review of the literature.

Left ventricular non compaction (LVNC) is a relatively rare variety of cardiomyopathy of genetic origin. We report three cases of LVNC diagnosed on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in Abidjan in patients aged 42, 46 and 60 years, referred for suspected LVNC on echocardiography. We used a 1.5 T MRI and performed the following sequences: black blood and white blood, LV minor axis, LV major axis, 4 cavities, and T1 SPIR Gadolinium (early and late enhancement at 10 minutes). MRI made the diagnosis of LVNC based on a double-layered myocardium, the inner (endocardium) non compacted, fibrillar thickened and the outer (epicardium) compacted thin with a non compacted to compacted myocardium ratio greater than 2.3, making the formal diagnosis. Cardiac MRI is an excellent diagnostic tool for LVNC. Its recent use in Africa should be common in the management of this cardiomyopathy.