Assessment of the prevalence of left ventricular false tendon and its subtypes by echocardiography

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Patient Safety Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

5 Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/MJMS.2026.92194.5161

Abstract

Introduction: The left ventricular false tendon is an anatomical variant in the left ventricle, it is a fibromuscular band-shaped structure which can be identified by echocardiography. Its prevalence has been reported to vary from 0.4% to 95% in studies. No study has been conducted that includes the frequency of this structure in the Iranian population.
Methods: In this study, 1160 patients who were referred to the echocardiography department of Ghaem Hospital over a period of one year were included. The patient's demographic characteristics and echocardiographic parameters, the presence or absence of left ventricular false tendon and its subtype were recorded and then, the frequency of false tendon and its types and its relationship with each of the variables were evaluated.
Results: Left ventricular false tendon was observed in 102 patients (8.8%) and another 1058 patients (91.2%) did not have false tendon. The most common subtype was type IV, which was observed in 58 patients (58.6%). Also, false tendon type V, I, and III were present in 32 (32.3%), 8 (8.1%), and 1 (1%) patients, respectively. The presence of false tendon is associated with male gender, left ventricular wall motion abnormality and lower ejection fraction. There was no association between the presence of false tendon with age and left-sided heart valve diseases, including mitral regurgitation or stenosis, aortic regurgitation or stenosis.
Conclusion: The prevalence of left ventricular false tendon is 8.8%. The most prevalent subtypes are type IV and III, which together account for about 90% of cases.
 

Keywords

References

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Medical Journal of Mashhad university of Medical Sciences
Volume 69, Issue 2
May 2026
Pages 153-162

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