AB0 system and D(Rho) antigen frequencies in left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction in relation to cardiac and neuromuscular findings

Background Left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT) is a cardiac abnormality with suspected genetic background, characterized by trabeculations and intertrabecular recesses. Aim of the study in LVHT patients was to assess the AB0 system and D(Rho) antigen frequencies, to look for an association between the prevalence of cardiac and neuromuscular abnormalities and to compare distribution of the AB0 system and D(Rho) antigen frequencies with the Austrian general population. Methods and results In 77/102 LVHT patients (75%) information about blood group could be obtained. There were no differences in the prevalence of clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings and neuromuscular disorders between the AB0 blood groups. When comparing 67 LVHT patients who were D(Rho) antigen positive with 10 patients who were D(Rho) antigen negative, no differences could be found. Among LVHT patients, 0 D(Rho) antigen positive was the most frequent (39%) followed by A D(Rho) antigen positive (34%). In the Austrian general population A D(Rho) antigen positive was the most frequent (33%) followed by 0 D(Rho) antigen positive (30%). Conclusion This study shows that LVHT patients do not differ according the blood groups, and that the distribution of blood groups is only minimally different between LVHT patients and the general Austrian population.