Abstract：To observe characteristic presentation of noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium(NVM) by echocardiography. Methods: Echocardiographic images of 31 patients in our hospital who were definitely diagnosed as NVM were reviewed retrospectively from April 2005 to December 2007. Results: Family history was observed in 7 cases of 31 patients(22.6%), but was not observed in 24 cases(77.4%). Twenty-one cases had lesion impaired in left ventricle(67.7%), 2 cases had lesion in right ventricle(6.5%) and 8 cases in both ventricles(25.8%). Furthermore, involved ventricles in 31 cases(100%) were enlarged and ejection fraction of left ventricle in 29 cases(93.5%) were less than 55%. The most impaired areas in sequence were left ventricle apex in 29 cases(93.5%), papillary muscles in 26 cases(83.9%), chorda tendineaes in 6 cases(19.4%) and valve level in 1 case(3%). Ratios of the impaired ventricular wall thickness between the noncompacted trabeculated layer and the nontrabeculated compacted layer were from 2.2 to 3.1. And 31 cases(100%) indicated color Doppler blood flowing into intertrabecular recesses with dim blood in them and blood filling defect in trabecular muscles. Conclusions: NVM was difficult to diagnose definitely because of its various kinds of clinical manifestations. But echocardiographic images of NVM were characteristic, so echocardiography could be an excellent tool to diagnose NVM.
2008, Vol. 19 
