Indonesian Journal of Cardiology
Vol 47 No 2 (2026): April - June, 2026

The Forgotten Spongy Myocardium: Clinical Trajectory of Left Ventricular Noncompaction Cardiomyopathy in an Asymptomatic Adult

Leonardo Paskah Suciadi (Siloam Heart Institute, Siloam Hospitals Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Dony Yugo Hermanto (Division of Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiology, Pondok Indah Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Surya Sinaga Immanuel (Advanced Cardiac Care Clinic, Siloam Hospitals Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Jason Wirandy Haryanto (Advanced Cardiac Care Clinic, Siloam Hospitals Kebon Jeruk, Jakarta, Indonesia)
Harvian Satya Dharma (General Practitioner, Jakarta, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
11 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Left Ventricular Noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy characterized by a thin compacted epicardial layer and an extensive noncompacted endocardial layer with prominent trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses that communicate with the Left Ventricular (LV) cavity. The classic triad of complications includes chronic heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, and systemic embolic events. At present, evidence-based management guidelines remain limited. Case Illustration: We report a 42-year-old man with LVNC, initially detected as an incidental Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB) on Electrocardiogram (ECG) during a routine medical checkup. Although he remained asymptomatic, LV Ejection Fraction (LVEF) progressively declined, accompanied by rising N-Terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) levels. Coronary artery disease was excluded by coronary computed tomography angiography. Given worsening LV systolic function over 2 years, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) demonstrated an LVNC phenotype consistent with cardiomyopathy. Guideline-Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) for heart failure was initiated, along with oral anticoagulation for primary prevention of LV thrombus. After medication optimization, LVEF improved markedly, and NT-proBNP normalized. Conclusions: This case illustrates the value of comprehensive evaluation and multimodality imaging in patients with unexplained LBBB, even when asymptomatic. Early diagnosis, phenotype-guided treatment, and longitudinal surveillance may help prevent clinical progression and future heart-failure, arrhythmic, or thromboembolic complications.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

ijc

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Indonesian Journal of Cardiology (IJC) is a peer-reviewed and open-access journal established by Indonesian Heart Association (IHA)/Perhimpunan Dokter Spesialis Kardiovaskular Indonesia (PERKI) [www.inaheart.org] on the year 1979. This journal is published to meet the needs of physicians and other ...