[Obstructive myocardiopathy in the elderly. A retrospective study of 18 cases]

From a retrospective study of 18 cases of obstructive cardiomyopathy in elderly people collected over a 5-year period, it appears that the incidence of the disease is probably underestimated. It seems to vary in severity, but only one-third of the patients present suggestive clinical symptoms associated with an obvious obstructive syndrome. The best diagnostic method is phonomechanography, which is easy to perform, systematically completed by a pharmaco-dynamic test. Hyperkinesia and disorders of cardiac compliance add useful specific data to the clinical picture. Echocardiography provides information on cardiac anatomy and on the obstructive mechanism. Left ventricular function tests are of particular interest in these old-age patients with cardiopathy. In our opinion, the two non-invasive methods are sufficient for a firm diagnosis, even when some criteria, notably ultrasonic, are lacking. Once the condition is diagnosed, the patient should be put on beta-blockers or calcium inhibitors, such as verapamil, which constitute an effective treatment.