Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Question 1

What is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Answer 1

Portion of the heart becomes thickened without an obvious cause

Question 2

What are the causes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Answer 2

(Primary) Genetic, autosomal dominant
(Secondary) Associated with certain conditions (e.g., chronic hypertension, Friedreich ataxia, Fabry disease, Noonan syndrome, amyloidosis)
(Pressure-related) Chronic pressure overload, afterload

Question 3

What are the clinical features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Answer 3

Mostly asymptomatic
Exertional dyspnea
Angina pectoris 
Dizziness, lightheadedness, syncope
Palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias
Sudden cardiac death
(Cardiac examination) Systolic ejection murmur (crescendo-decrescendo)
S4 gallop

Question 4

How is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosed?

Answer 4

Echocardiography
ECG
CXR

Question 5

What is the treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

Answer 5

(Meds) Beta-blocker
Calcium channel blocker (e.g. verapamil)
(Srugery) Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), Myectomy (Morrow procedure)