[Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a pitfall in preoperative electrocardiography]

We submit two case reports of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy knowing that the diagnosis of one of them has been very intricate at the time of preoperative evaluation. This disease, unfrequent besides Japan, is either silent or induces cardio-vascular symptoms which are often poorly typical. The diagnosis relies on echocardiography using a high frequency probe to reveal an apical hypertrophy. In one case, a coronarography has been necessary since echocardiography failed to establish a diagnosis. Anaesthestic perioperative management should take into account the risk of apical ischaemia and the impairment of the left ventricle compliance.