Modelling cardiac mechanics of left ventricular noncompaction

Abstract

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) can be defined as a cardiomyopathy characterised by a pattern of prominent trabecular structure and deep intertrabecular recesses, that is thought to be caused by an arrest of normal endomyocardial morphogenesis. Using patient-specific computational modelling, we assessed the cardiac mechanics of five patients with LVNC and compared myocardial stress and pump performance to those of healthy controls. Findings shown that patients with LVNC have impaired left ventricular (LV) function, making it possible that the lack of fibre shortening of noncompacted layer can determine poor heart function. Pronounced end-systolic wall stress on left ventricular wall of patients with LVNC was observed when compared to that of normal hearts, and this may lead to adverse cardiac remodelling and ultimately heart failure. We hereby suggest that computational modelling can be considered as a useful tool to assess the cardiac work and pump performance of LVNC, which are responsible for progressive left ventricular deterioration and poor clinical course.