Reversed Septal Curvature Is Associated With Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is associated with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Recently, differences regarding septal morphology have been reported, with an increased probability of sudden death in HCM patients who had reverse septal curvature (RSC). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between RSC and NSVT in HCM. A total of 138 patients with HCM were enrolled. Of 138 patients, 47 (34.1%) were diagnosed with RSC and 42 patients (30.4%) had NSVT. Compared with the non-RSC group, those with RSC were much younger and had an increased incidence of NSVT, thicker septal thickness, larger mass, and a higher proportion of HCM or SCD family history. Furthermore, patients with RSC had a higher risk of SCD according to the European Society of Cardiology calculator (2.5 (1.6, 4.6) vs. 1.6(1.1, 2.3)(%/5 year), p <0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that RSC was a strong and independent risk factor for NSVT (odds ratio = 2.756, 95% confidence interval: 1.164-6.525, p = 0.021). In conclusion, the presence of RSC in HCM patients is independently associated with NSVT. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of RSC as a risk factor for SCD in this population.