Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Disease Summary

Overview

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetically determined cardiac disorder characterized by hypertrophy, often of the left ventricle, with non-dilated ventricular chambers and no other cardiac, systemic or metabolic disease (eg aortic stenosis, thyroid disease or hypertension) capable of producing the extent of hypertrophy manifested by the patient.
Symptoms can range from patients being asymptomatic to mildly or significantly symptomatic with pre-syncopal or syncopal episodes, palpitations, chest pain, decreased exercise tolerance, symptoms of pulmonary congestion (eg fatigue, dyspnea, orthopnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea) and symptoms of end-stage heart failure or cardiac arrest.
Laboratory tests are done in order to help in identifying conditions that lead to or aggravate ventricular dysfunction (eg diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease, renal dysfunction) and organ dysfunction developing from advanced heart failure.
An empiric therapy is often necessary to identify the best possible drug for the patient, starting at a low dose and titrating until clinical improvement or occurrence of side effects.

For further information regarding the management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, please refer to Disease Algorithm for the Treatment Guideline.