Association between myocardial hypertrophy and apical diverticulum: more than a coincidence?

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the possible association between the myocardial hypertrophy and the development of an apical diverticulum.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 786 multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography examinations (520 males, 266 females; mean age, 57±15 years; age range, 18-78 years). The end-diastolic left ventricle wall thickness was measured in all patients, and a wall thickness of 11 mm was determined to be the cut-off value for myocardial hypertrophy. The ventricular apex and subvalvular area were evaluated for ventricular diverticula. The difference between the apical diverticula in patients with and without myocardial hypertrophy was determined.

Results: There were 12 myocardial hypertrophy and nine apical diverticulum cases. Myocardial hypertrophy was observed in four (44%) of nine patients who had apical diverticula, and an apical diverticulum was observed in four (33%) of 12 patients who had myocardial hypertrophy. There was statistically significant difference for myocardial wall thickness between the apical diverticula in patients with myocardial hypertrophy and those without myocardial hypertrophy (P = 0.011).

Conclusion: Diagnosis of apical diverticula has become easier by using imaging modalities such as MDCT. There may be an association between myocardial hypertrophy and apical diverticulum.