Review
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World J Cardiol. Sep 26, 2010; 2(9): 289-298
Published online Sep 26, 2010. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v2.i9.289
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death
Konstantinos I Stroumpoulis, Ioannis N Pantazopoulos, Theodoros T Xanthos
Konstantinos I Stroumpoulis, Department of Experimental Surgery and Surgical Research, Medical School, University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
Ioannis N Pantazopoulos, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
Theodoros T Xanthos, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Athens, 11527, Athens, Greece
Author contributions: Stroumpoulis KI, Pantazopoulos IN and Xanthos TT analyzed and interpreted the literature; Stroumpoulis KI and Xanthos TT wrote and revised the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Theodoros T Xanthos, PhD, Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Athens, 75 Mikras Street, 11527, Athens, Greece. theodorosxanthos@yahoo.com
Telephone: +30-210-7462305 Fax: +30-210-7462305
Received: April 10, 2010
Revised: July 19, 2010
Accepted: July 26, 2010
Published online: September 26, 2010
Abstract

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common genetic cardiovascular disease that affects the left ventricle. HCM can appear at any age, with the majority of the patients remaining clinically stable. When patients complain of symptoms, these include: dyspnea, dizziness, syncope and angina. HCM can lead to sudden cardiac death (SCD), mainly due to ventricular tachyarrhythmia or ventricular tachycardia. High-risk patients benefit from implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is not a rare feature in HCM, especially in symptomatic patients, and procedures that abolish that obstruction provide positive and consistent results that can improve long-term survival. HCM is the most common cause of sudden death in young competitive athletes and preparticipation screening programs have to be implemented to avoid these tragic fatalities. The structure of these programs is a matter of large debate. Worldwide registries are necessary to identify the full extent of HCM-related SCD.

Keywords: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; Genetics; Management; Risk-stratification; Athletes; Sudden cardiac death