HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 55-year-old woman was referred to our hospital 
with signs of cerebral ischaemia i. e. dysarthria and weakness of the buccal 
branch of the facial nerve. Additionally the patient reported symptoms of heart 
failure NYHA class II. Six months earlier the patient also had visual 
disturbances. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) had shown ischaemic lesions.
INVESTIGATIONS: A recent MRI confirmed the suspected diagnosis of ischaemia in 
the territory supplied by the left middle cerebral artery. The echocardiography 
was characterized by a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (25 %) due to 
isolated ventricular non-compaction (IVNC).
TREATMENT AND COURSE: The patient was treated with a combination therapy 
including ACE-inhibitors and diuretics. An oral anticoagulation was recommended 
as secondary prophylaxis. At the time of discharge the patient had no residual 
neurological deficits.
CONCLUSION: Isolated ventricular non-compaction is a rare type of 
cardiomyopathy. Possible manifestations include systemic embolic events, 
arrhythmias and heart failure. Echocardiography is the investigation of choice 
in identifying characteristic changes.