A Clinical Perspective on Left Ventricular Noncompaction in Older Patients: Data From a Tertiary Referral Center

Abstract Background Information on left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) in older people is sparse. This study aimed to investigate the clinical profile of LVNC in an older cohort. Materials and Methods Between August 2007 and September 2015, older patients (age ≥ 60 years) who were diagnosed with LVNC using cardiovascular magnetic resonance were prospectively enrolled at our hospital. Results A total of 35 patients (male, 80%; mean age, 65 ± 5 years) were prospectively included in this study. LVNC was not detected in 18 (51%) patients at the initial echocardiographic evaluation. Of the 21 patients who received coronary imaging, 8 (38%) patients had coronary artery disease. Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and dilation were detected in 31 (89%) and 30 (86%) patients, respectively. Nine (26%) patients died during a follow-up of 2.9 ± 2.3 years. Cox analysis showed that patients with syncope (hazard ratio [HR] = 20.51; 95% CI: 1.70-246.60; P = 0.02), increased LV end-diastolic diameter (HR = 1.12; 95% CI: 1.01-1.24; P = 0.03), decreased LV ejection fraction (HR = 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77-0.98; P = 0.02) and the presence of late gadolinium enhancement on cardiovascular magnetic resonance (HR = 8.9; 95% CI: 1.07-74.08; P = 0.04) had a higher risk for death. Conclusions The diagnosis of LVNC is easily missed at echocardiographic assessment in older patients. Coronary artery disease is a common concomitant disorder in these patients. Older patients with LVNC have a high risk for mortality. Syncope, LV dilation, systolic dysfunction and late gadolinium enhancement are related to adverse outcomes in older patients.