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© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a cardiac muscle disorder characterized by generally asymmetric abnormal hypertrophy of the left ventricle without abnormal loading conditions (such as hypertension or valvular heart disease) accounting for the left ventricular wall thickness or mass. The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in HCM patients is about 1% yearly in adults, but it is far higher in adolescence. HCM is the most frequent cause of death in athletes in the Unites States of America. HCM is an autosomal-dominant genetic cardiomyopathy, and mutations in the genes encoding sarcomeric proteins are identified in 30–60% of cases. The presence of this genetic mutation carries more than 2-fold increased risk for all outcomes, including ventricular arrhythmias. Genetic and myocardial substrate, including fibrosis and intraventricular dispersion of conduction, ventricular hypertrophy and microvascular ischemia, increased myofilament calcium sensitivity and abnormal calcium handling, all play a role as arrhythmogenic determinants. Cardiac imaging studies provide important information for risk stratification. Transthoracic echocardiography can be helpful to evaluate left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, LV outflow-tract gradient and left atrial size. Additionally, cardiac magnetic resonance can evaluate the prevalence of late gadolinium enhancement, which when higher than 15% of LV mass is a prognostic maker of SCD. Age, family history of SCD, syncope and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia at Holter ECG have also been validated as independent prognostic markers of SCD. Arrhythmic risk stratification in HCM requires careful evaluation of several clinical aspects. Symptoms combined with electrocardiogram, cardiac imaging tools and genetic counselling are the modern cornerstone for proper risk stratification.

Details

Title
Arrhythmic Risk Stratification among Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Author
Santoro, Francesco 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Mango, Federica 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Mallardi, Adriana 1 ; Damiano D’Alessandro 1 ; Casavecchia, Grazia 1 ; Gravina, Matteo 2   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Correale, Michele 1 ; Natale Daniele Brunetti 1 

 Cardiology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy 
 Radiology Unit, University Polyclinic Hospital of Foggia, 71100 Foggia, Italy 
First page
3397
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20770383
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2819453876
Copyright
© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.