Is the Increased Septal Perfusion the Signal of Asymmetrical Septal Hypertrophy?

In this study, we have compared scintigraphic and echocardiographic data in order to investigate whether increased septal perfusion represents asymmetrical septal hypertrophy (ASH), which is a symptom followed in the scintigraphy of myocardial perfusion. The study consists of a total of 186 patients (120 females and 66 males with an average age of 59.45 ± 11.54 years) who had normal myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and echocardiography examinations. Statistical comparison of septal wall thickness measurements obtained from echocardiography and septal-to-lateral wall ratios (S/L ratio) was performed scintigraphically. Left ventricular mass values were obtained as both scintigraphic and echocardiographic data and their correlations were evaluated in order to assess the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). In statistical analyses, the values of interventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVSd), left ventricle posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWd), left ventricle mass (LVM), and left ventricle mass index (LVMI) were found to be significantly higher in group 2 (S/L ratio >1) compared to group 1 (S/L ratio <1). In addition, S/L ratio is significantly correlated with echocardiographic IVSd, LVPWd, LVM, LVMI, and scintigraphic LVM (rest) values. Furthermore, echocardiographic LVM and LVMI values were significantly correlated with LVM and LVMI values obtained from scintigraphy. It should be known that increased S/L ratio that can be monitored during scintigraphic studies can be an indicator of septal hypertrophy and/or LVH, however, further examination and close follow-ups should be performed in necessary cases.