Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

I read with interest the report by Chung et al, 1 Chung T. Yiannikas J. Freedman S.B. Kritharides L. Unusual features of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol. 2010; 105: 879-883 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (14) Google Scholar who presented a case series of predominantly Caucasian elderly Australians with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). Almost 3 decades ago, Steingo et al 2 Steingo L. Dansky R. Pockcock W.A. Barlow J.B. Apical hypertrophic nonobstructive cardiomyopathy. Am Heart J. 1982; 104: 635-637 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (30) Google Scholar from South Africa and my group 3 Abinader E.G. Rauchfleisch S. Naschitz J. Hypertrophic apical cardiomyopathy: a subtype of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Isr J Med Sci. 1982; 18: 1005-1009 PubMed Google Scholar reported the first cases of apical HC from outside Japan. Chia and Tan 4 Chia B.L. Tan L.K. Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol. 1984; 53: 1413 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar from Singapore confirmed our comments 5 Abinader E.G. Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol. 1983; 53: 1970 Google Scholar regarding the fact that the Japanese form of apical HC described outside Japan is very different from Maron et al's 6 Maron B.J. Bonow R.O. Seshagirl T.N. Roberts W.C. Epstein S.E. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with ventricular septal hypertrophy localized to apical region of left ventricle apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol. 1982; 49: 1838-1848 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (142) Google Scholar cases of HC with septal hypertrophy localized to the apex. Unusual Features of Apical Hypertrophic CardiomyopathyAmerican Journal of CardiologyVol. 105Issue 6PreviewApical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) is commonly regarded as a relatively benign condition of young to middle-aged Japanese men. Apical HC in a predominantly Caucasian population is not well characterized. The cardiovascular characteristics, morbidity, and mortality of a series of elderly, predominantly Caucasian subjects with apical HC are described. Thirty-two consecutive patients with apical HC (mean age 71 years, 15 men) were identified from a teaching hospital without a specialized HC clinic. Full-Text PDF