Abstract
[first paragraph of article]Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a devastating and often unpredictable complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) that may occur as the initial disease presentation, frequently in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic young people. Until 2000, only small series of patients examining predictors of SCD had been published, with a selection bias towards severe disease. Subsequently, larger series that are more representative of the HCM spectrum have shown that the annual SCD rate is less than 1%, and that there are subgroups of patients with a clearly higher risk.
Highlights
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a devastating and often unpredictable complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) that may occur as the initial disease presentation, frequently in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic young people
Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) implantation in secondary prevention is rarely a clinical challenge[10], but identifying patients within this heterogeneous disorder who are at high risk of SCD when prior to a first event is a challenge
Left atrial diameter has been associated with SCD in a single study with a Hazard ratio (HR) 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.00–1.05], p = 0.0419
Summary
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a devastating and often unpredictable complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) that may occur as the initial disease presentation, frequently in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic young people. Larger series that are more representative of the HCM spectrum have shown that the annual SCD rate is less than 1%1,2, and that there are subgroups of patients with a clearly higher risk. Life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias can be triggered by a number of environmental factors (e.g., intense physical exertion) or features intrinsic to the disease process, including left ventricular outflow obstruction, systemic arterial hypotension and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. RISK STRATIFICATION AND PREVENTION OF SCD Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are effective in terminating life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in HCM, whereas pharmacologic therapy has not been demonstrated to provide protection from SCD. ICD implantation in secondary prevention is rarely a clinical challenge[10], but identifying patients within this heterogeneous disorder who are at high risk of SCD when prior to a first event is a challenge.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
