Paper Title: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in two young men: A case series
Authors: Dodiyi-manuel S.T, Ezennaka R.C
Article DOI:
Abstract/Summary:
Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic disease of the myocardium with an autosomal dominant inheritance. The hallmark of HCM is left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which usually affects the interventricular septum in an asymmetric fashion; however, almost any pattern of LVH is possible including concentric LVH and hypertrophy localized to only one or two myocardial segments. The diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion because the disease is often asymptomatic and sudden death may be the initial presentation especially in young people. Objective: To highlight the importance of using echocardiography for evaluation of patients presenting with cardiovascular symptoms and the existence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in our environment. Methods: The medical record of the patients and relevant literature were reviewed. Case Reports: A 29 year old businessman and a 40 year old civil servant both presented with recurrent breathlessness on exertion, dull retrosternal chest pain, regular unprovoked palpitations and light headedness. Transthoracic echocardiography done on both patients revealed HCM. Conclusion: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD), though it is relatively uncommon, it does occur in our environment and may mimic other cardiac diseases.
Publication Date:
2016-12-31