Isolated left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) and recurrent strokes: to anticoagulate or not to anticoagulate, that is the question

Isolated left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC) is an uncommon primary cardiomyopathy associated with significant risk of thromboembolic stroke. We report a case of a 69-year-old man with a medical history of ischaemic stroke who presented with a stroke for the second time, and during stroke workup transthoracic echo was suggestive of increased apical trabeculation. He underwent cardiac MRI study to evaluate the left ventricular structure, which revealed LVNC cardiomyopathy, which we believe is the main culprit of his recurrent strokes. Given the high risk of stroke recurrence, antiplatelets followed by anticoagulation for secondary prevention were initiated. This case demonstrates the association between LVNC and recurrent stroke, with a literature review trying to address the dilemma facing the clinician to decide on anticoagulation in such patients.