Double jeopardy in the echocardiography laboratory: coexistence of two distinct cardiomyopathies?

Timothy E Paterick1, Alix J Tercius, Anushree Agarwal

  • 1Aurora Cardiovascular Services, Aurora Sinai, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Centers, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Insights

Six patients presented with co-occurring Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) and cardiac amyloidosis or left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC). A common genetic cause remains elusive, requiring further investigation into complex genetic substrates.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Genetics
  • Rare Diseases

Background:

  • A Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center identified six patients with apparent co-occurrence of two rare cardiac conditions.
  • This observation prompted an investigation into a potential shared underlying cause or common derivative.

Observation:

  • A retrospective review identified patients diagnosed with HCM, cardiac amyloidosis, and left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC).
  • Transthoracic echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed six patients with apical hypertrabeculations and myocardium suggestive of LVNC.

Findings:

  • Four of the six patients had co-existing HCM.
  • Two of the six patients had co-existing cardiac amyloidosis.

Implications:

  • The clinical significance of these concomitant cardiomyopathies is currently not well understood.
  • No common genetic link was identified, suggesting a potentially complex or yet-to-be-discovered genetic basis.
Abstract

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