Left ventricular non-noncompaction: the mitral valve prolapse of the 21st century?

Abstract

A spongiform epidemic is upon us - myocardial trabeculae are everywhere as left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) ingratiates itself into modern day cardiology. Current understanding of the condition is evolving but remains incomplete, and brings to mind the chronicles of another great cardiac story: mitral valve prolapse. Anecdote suggests that many individuals with prominent trabeculae may be being falsely labelled with a disease - LVNC - using poor echocardiographic and cardiovascular magnetic resonance criteria. Until we have robust diagnostic criteria, aetiology, clinicopathological significance and prognosis, the risk of casualties from ascertainment bias will remain. We should look to history and learn from past mistakes - specifically from the mitral valve prolapse story to show the way forward for LVNC. Meanwhile, clinicians (and patients) should be wary, bearing in mind the possibility that they might be seeing LVNNC - left ventricular non-noncompaction.