Abstract
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by a thickened myocardium or increased cardiac mass in the absence of an underlying condition such as arterial hypertension or heart valve disease that may have caused this abnormity. About half to two thirds of HCM patients have intraventricular obstruction, most often subaortic one.
The most common diagnostic tool is echocardiography. Pharmacotherapy is only initiated in symptomatic patients.
Non-responders with obstructive forms of HCM may have myectomy or alcohol septal ablation. Patients with risk factors for sudden death have cardioverter- defibrillator devices implanted.