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Continuous apex to left ventricle blood flow pattern in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with apical aneurysm and

Bill P C Hsieh1, James Tauras, Cynthia Taub

  • 1Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. billhsieh2003@yahoo.com

Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|February 15, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This study details a unique Doppler pattern in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) showing continuous apex-to-left ventricle (LV) flow. This finding in apical ischemia may explain aneurysm formation in HCM patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic heart muscle disease.
  • Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common finding in HCM.
  • Apical aneurysms are a recognized complication of HCM.

Observation:

  • A 42-year-old female presented with chest pain, murmurs, and ECG findings of LVH.
  • Echocardiography revealed HCM with apical aneurysm and LV cavity obstruction.
  • Doppler interrogation showed continuous systolic and diastolic flow from apex to LV with a notched pattern.

Findings:

  • Adenosine nuclear scintigraphy demonstrated apical myocardial ischemia.
  • Coronary angiography showed no epicardial coronary obstruction.
  • A novel Doppler pattern of continuous apex-to-LV flow was observed in HCM with apical ischemia.

Implications:

  • This Doppler pattern may be indicative of apical ischemia in HCM.
  • The observed flow pattern could contribute to apical aneurysm formation.
  • Understanding this phenomenon enhances diagnostic capabilities for HCM complications.

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