Imaging Features of Patients With Isolated Left Ventricular Apical Hypoplasia
Objectives:To explore the imaging features of patients with isolated left ventricular apical hypoplasia(ILVAH).Methods:Twelve patients diagnosed with ILVAH(ILVAH group)in our hospital from April 2018 to August 2023 were enrolled,and all of them received transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)examination;9 patients underwent CMR examination;and 1 patient underwent CT examination.Clinical data and imaging characteristics of the patients were analyzed.At the same time,twelve healthy age and sex matched participants who underwent physical examination in the same period were selected as the control group.Results:TTE showed that:compared with the control group,the left ventricular transverse diameter([46.3±5.7]mm vs.[57.8±12.6]mm)and right ventricular long diameter([62.0±4.2]mm vs.[73.6±6.4]mm)were larger in the ILVAH group(P<0.05),the left ventricular long diameter([63.0±3.5]mm vs.[53.4±8.2]mm)was smaller(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in right ventricular transverse diameter between the two groups(P>0.05).The interventricular septum was convex to the right ventricle,and the thickness at the apex was(5.2±2.0)mm in the ILVAH group.The papillary muscles were all attached to the flat left ventricular apex.Among the 9 patients who underwent CMR examination,adipose tissue replacement was found in the left ventricular apex in 7 out of the 9 patients,and endocardial fibrosis was found in 2 out of the 9 patients.Conclusions:The clinical presentation of ILVAH is non-specific,but there are specific imaging manifestations that may help improve the understanding of the disease.