Left ventricular false tendons

• Published in: Netherlands heart journal Vol. 29; no. 9; pp. 419 - 422
• Main Authors: Velthuis, S., Senden, P. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Houten Bohn Stafleu van Loghum 01-09-2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ablation; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiology; Cardiomyopathy; Catheters; Clinical significance; Electrocardiography; Heart failure; Magnetic resonance imaging; Medical Education; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mortality; Point of View; Tendons; Ultrasonic imaging; Ventricular arrhythmias; Left ventricular false tendon; Abnormal cardiac remodelling
• ISSN: 1568-5888; 1876-6250
• DOI: 10.1007/s12471-021-01592-5

Left ventricular false tendons (LVFTs) are fibromuscular structures, connecting the left ventricular free wall or papillary muscle and the ventricular septum.
There is some discussion about safety issues during intense exercise in athletes with LVFTs, as these bands have been associated with ventricular arrhythmias and abnormal cardiac remodelling. However, presence of LVFTs appears to be much more common than previously noted as imaging techniques have improved and the association between LVFTs and abnormal remodelling could very well be explained by better visibility in a dilated left ventricular lumen.
Although LVFTs may result in electrocardiographic abnormalities and could form a substrate for ventricular arrhythmias, it should be considered as a normal anatomic variant. Persons with LVFTs do not appear to have increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death.