2023 ESC guidelines for management of cardiomyopathies: short review with implications for the clinical practice in Bulgaria

Abstract

The 2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of cardiomyopathies (CM) provide practical recommendations for diagnosis and treatment. They emphasize on the need for a systematic clinical evaluation beginning with clinical suspicion of CM and using a multiparametric approach that leads to classification of CM into one of five distinct phenotypes. А cardiomyopathy mindset, together with a multidisciplinary approach are crucial. Further investigations, including advanced imaging and genetic testing, are needed to make a phenotype-based etiological diagnosis. Detection of pathogenic genetic variants allows risk stratification of sudden cardiac death, where new recommendations are available regarding primary prevention. Therapeutic options are expanded with the approval of a new class of drugs for the treatment of symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Specific exercise recommendations are given and reproductive issues in patients with CM are addressed. The lack of reimbursement by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) of genetic testing and the severely limited reimbursement of some imaging methods are a significant problem in Bulgaria, which leads to difficulties in implementing the new guidelines.