New oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction?

Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT) is a cardiac abnormality of unknown etiology, associated with neuromuscular disorders, and an increased risk of heart failure, arrhythmias, and stroke or embolism (S/E) . We have shown that in 22 of 144 LVHT patients (15%) stroke (n=21) or peripheral embolism (n=1) had occurred. S/E etiology was either cardioembolic (n=14), atherosclerotic (n=5) or undetermined (n=3). Among the patients with cardioembolic S/E, 13/14 had either atrial fibrillation (AF) or systolic dysfunction . In a nested case–control study of patients with severe systolic dysfunction the stroke incidence was 3.9% over 35months, and LVHT was associated with stroke .
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: research