Progression of electrocardiographic changes in a patient with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Rafael Harari1, Jeffrey Smietana1, John E Madias1

  • 1Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America; Division of Cardiology, Elmhurst Hospital Center, Elmhurst, NY, United States of America.

Insights

Serial electrocardiograms (ECGs) can detect the development and progression of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM) and left ventricular hypertrophy. This highlights the importance of regular ECG monitoring alongside imaging for AHCM patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Electrocardiography

Background:

  • Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM) is a form of left ventricular hypertrophy.
  • Early detection and monitoring of AHCM progression are crucial for patient management.

Observation:

  • A 58-year-old asymptomatic male presented with characteristic ECG findings of AHCM.
  • Prominent precordial R-waves and "giant" inverted T-waves were noted on his current ECG.
  • Previous ECGs from 17 and 13 years prior showed no such abnormalities.

Findings:

  • Serial ECGs demonstrated the emergence and progression of specific electrical abnormalities.
  • These ECG changes correlated with the development of regional left ventricular hypertrophy.

Implications:

  • Serial ECGs, in conjunction with imaging, can aid in identifying the development and progression of AHCM.
  • This approach may also be valuable for monitoring other hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotypes.
  • Regular ECG monitoring can enhance the early diagnosis and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

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