isolated v entricular non-compaction: an underdiagnosed c ause of c ongestive Heart Failure

Isolated ventricular non-compaction is a frequently underdiagnosed rare congenital cardiomyopathy. The importance of diagnosing this cardiomyopathy lies especially in asymptomatic patients, screening relatives of index cases in order to focus on their follow-up, and searching for criteria warranting prophylactic anticoagulation, implantable cardioverter defibrillator and anti-remodeling drugs such as angiotensin-converting inhibitors. We present the clinical and imaging characteristics of this entity and discuss some of the therapeutic dilemmas involving these patients. IMAJ 2009;11:426–429 isolated ventricular non-compaction, congestive heart failure, thromboembolism, ventricular tachyarrhythmia