Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 30, 2025

Dual-Dye Optical Mapping of Hearts from RyR2R2474S Knock-In Mice of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
09:36

Dual-Dye Optical Mapping of Hearts from RyR2R2474S Knock-In Mice of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Published on: December 22, 2023

1.5K

Ventricular Arrhythmia in Septal and Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The French-Canadian Experience

Christian Steinberg1, Charles Nadeau-Routhier1, Philippe André1

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Department, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et Pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ-UL), Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
|November 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (aHCM) is more common in French-Canadians and carries a higher risk of ventricular arrhythmias. This contrasts with the generally assumed benign course of aHCM, highlighting the need for closer monitoring in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Genetics
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (aHCM) is often considered to have a more favorable prognosis than septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (sHCM).
  • Existing data predominantly originate from Asian populations, with limited and conflicting information available for Caucasian cohorts.
  • The clinical outcomes and prevalence of aHCM in Caucasian populations, particularly French-Canadians, remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (aHCM) in a French-Canadian cohort of Caucasian descent.
  • To compare the clinical outcomes between patients with aHCM and those with septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (sHCM).
  • To identify predictors of adverse events in patients with aHCM.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective, single-center cohort study was conducted.
  • 301 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) were analyzed, categorizing them into aHCM and sHCM groups.
  • The primary endpoint included sustained ventricular arrhythmia (VA), appropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy, syncope, cardiac arrest, or all-cause mortality.

Main Results:

  • Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (aHCM) was identified in 27% of the cohort, a higher prevalence than typically reported in other Caucasian populations.
  • Patients with aHCM showed a significantly higher incidence of the primary endpoint (26% vs. 10.4%, p=0.001), primarily driven by sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VA).
  • Apical aneurysm and the aHCM phenotype were independent predictors of adverse outcomes, including sustained ventricular tachycardia.

Conclusions:

  • Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (aHCM) is notably more prevalent in French-Canadians of Caucasian descent compared to other Caucasian HCM cohorts.
  • In this population, aHCM is associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias, challenging the notion of a universally benign course.
  • The presence of apical aneurysm and unexplained syncope are significant risk factors for adverse arrhythmic events in aHCM patients.

Keywords:
French-Canadianapical hypertrophic cardiomyopathyhypertrophic cardiomyopathyseptal hypertrophic cardiomyopathyventricular arrhythmia

More Related Videos

Rat Model of Right-Sided Cardiac Remodeling and Arrhythmia Using Pulmonary Artery Banding10:39

Rat Model of Right-Sided Cardiac Remodeling and Arrhythmia Using Pulmonary Artery Banding

Published on: August 30, 2024

1.1K
Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model03:45

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model

Published on: August 8, 2022

4.0K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
204
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias01:25

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...
286
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
239
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm01:29

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
2.1K
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
326
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
273