Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy resident survival guide

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Steven Bellm, M.D. [2]

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy resident survival guide Microchapters
Overview
Classification
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Do's
Dont's

Overview

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is defined by LV hypertrophy associated with nondilated ventricular chambers without any other cardiac or systemic disease that itself would be capable of producing the magnitude of hypertrophy evident. HCM patients can also develop a LV outflow obstruction, diastolic dysfunction, myocardial ischemia and mitral regurgitation. HCM is usually recognized by maximal LV wall thickness ≥15 mm. Wall thickness of 13 to 14 mm is considered borderline if there are other compelling information (eg, family history of HCM), based on echocardiography. The diagnostic imaging mainly focused on echocardiography, however cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is used with increasing frequency.The risk of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias and for sudden cardiac death is increased.

Classification

Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Sarcomere Mutation

Without Extracardiac or Metabolic Findings + Genetic Substrate Unresolved

With Extracardiac or Metabolic Findings Associated With or Without Mutant Gene

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Syndrome with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Causes

Common Causes

• Familial
• Gene mutation
• Hypertension

Complete Diagnostic Approach

A complete diagnostic approach should be carried out after a focused initial rapid evaluation is conducted and following initiation of any urgent intervention.

History and symptoms: ❑  Hints for etiology (at least 3 generations of family history, and others) ❑  Duration and onset of illness ❑  Severity and triggers of dyspnea and fatigue, presence of chest pain, exercise capacity, physical activity, sexual activity (NYHA?) ❑  Weight loss/weight gain (cachexia/volume overload?) ❑  Palpitations/(pre)syncope/ICD shocks(adverse prognosis) ❑  Symptoms of transient ischemic attack or thromboembolism (anticoagulation necessary?) ❑  Presence of peripheral edema or ascites (volume overload?) ❑  Problems with breathing at night/ sleep ❑  Medical history: ❑  Prior hospitalizations for HF (adverse prognosis?) ❑  Discontinuation of medications (reasons?) ❑  Medications that may exacerbate HF ❑  Diet (restriction of sodium and fluid intake?)

Physical examination: ❑  Vital signs: ❑  Pulse (strength and regularity/may be brisk in upstroke and bifid through midsystolic obstruction) ❑  Blood pressure ❑  Respiratory rate ❑  General appearance: ❑  BMI(weight loss/weight gain) ❑  Peripheral edema ❑  JVD may show a prominent "a" wave ❑  Heart: ❑  Systolic murmur ❑   LVOT obstruction:harsh crescendo-decrescendo systolic murmur, may radiate to the axilla ❑  mitral regurgitation:mid-late systolic murmur at the apex ❑  LVOT obstruction murmur is similar to valvular aortic stenosis and subaortic stenosis, Valsalva increases systolic murmur in LVOT ❑  eventually have paradoxic split of S² ❑  eventually forceful LV apical impulse, presystolic apical impulse, systolic thrill at apex ❑  Lungs: ❑  Rales ❑  Pleural effusion ❑  Abdomen: ❑  Hepatomegaly and/or ascites (volume overload) ❑  Extremities: ❑  Temperature of lower extremities

Laboratory findings: ❑  Complete blood count ❑  Chemistry: ❑  Troponin, BNP or NT-proBNP ❑  Serum electrolytes (including calcium and magnesium) ❑  Blood urea nitrogen ❑  Serum creatinine ❑  Glucose ❑  Fasting lipid profile ❑  Liver function tests ❑  Thyroid-stimulating hormone ❑  Consider Screening for hemochromatosis, HIV, rheumatologic diseases, amyloidosis, or pheochromocytoma ❑  Urinalysis

Imaging and additional tests: ❑  Noninvasive imaging:

B01

B02

C01

D01

D02

D03

E01

E02

E03

F01

F02

Treatment

Patients with HCM

Treat comorbidities according to guidelines (hypertension, diabetes mellitus,etc)

Obstructive physiology?

Yes

No

Avoid vasodilator therapy and high-dose diuretics

Heart failure symptoms or angina

Heart failure symptoms or angina

Yes

No

No

Yes

Systolic function?

Annual clinical evaluation

Annual clinical evaluation

Beta-blockade/Verapamil/Disopyramide

LV-EF<50 percent

LV-EF≥50 percent

Persistent symptoms

Therapy as described in Heart failure

Beta-blockade

Verapamil

Invasive therapy

Acceptable surgical candidate

Diuretics

ACE inhibitor or ARB

No

Yes

Acceptable candidate for alcohol ablation?

Alcohol ablation

Surgical myectomy

Yes

No

Consider Alcohol ablation

Consider DDD pacing

Based on the ACCF/AHA guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Do's

Dont's

References