Assessment of Tenascin-C Levels in Ventricular Noncompaction/Hypertrabeculation Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

PurposeVentricular noncompaction/hypertrabeculation (NC/HT) is a rare form of congenital cardiomyopathy. We aimed to investigate the presence of serum tenascin-C (TN-C) in adult patients with NC/HT and evaluate its value. Methods and ResultsSerum TN-C levels were measured by ELISA in 50 NC/HT patients both with/without systolic dysfunction and in 23 normal controls. Systolic dysfunction was defined as ejection fraction (EF)40. Mann-Whitney U-test and ROC curve analysis were done. Of 49 NC/HT patients, 24 (49%) patients had systolic dysfunction (mean age 3615) and 25 patients (51%) had normal systolic function (mean age 36 +/- 17). The ages between groups were not different. The mean levels of serum TN-C in patients with or without systolic dysfunction were 26 +/- 10ng/mL and 26 +/- 8ng/mL respectively, compared to normal controls, 7 +/- 2ng/mL (P<0.001). No significance was observed between 2 groups of NC/HT patients regarding TN-C levels (P=0.8). The ROC curve analysis revealed that a TN-C value of 11.7ng/mL identified patients with NC/HT with 100% sensitivity and specifity. ConclusionHigh serum TN-C levels are present in adult NC/HT cardiomyopathy even when left ventricular systolic function remains normal. Also, serum TN-C levels could be regarded as a candidate biomarker in the diagnosis of NC/HT which needs to be tested in larger prospective studies.