Morelos GM, Cruz CNR, Pérez MC, Cobos MC, Martínez LM, Roldán VE

Language: Spanish
References: 8
Page: 297-301
PDF size: 390.19 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by hypertrophy of the myocardium, predominantly in the left ventricular apex, was first described in Japan, and constitutes 13 to 25% of all cases of HCM in that country. Despite a relatively good prognosis for apical HCM, long-term observations have occasionally included sudden cardiac death, severe arrhythmias, and apical infarctions with apical aneurysms. Echocardiography had been the 1st-line imaging method for patients with suspected HCM, but it present shortcomings considering the apex evaluation, it can miss the apical thickness due to limitation of the acoustic window or misdiagnosed with apex shorten when visualizing multiplanar images, even with the use of echo-enhancing agents. The cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is nowadays the preferred non-invasive diagnostic tool in the characterization of functional parameters (telediastolic volume, telesistolic volume, ventricular mass and ventricular ejection fraction). It is an alternative tool when the electrocardiogram raises suspicion of apical HCM and if echocardiographic results are inconclusive or technically inadequate. We present a case with classic findings of HCM with a detailed description of the imaging findings in the CMR and a brief review of the literature.

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