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Published on: August 8, 2022
EACVI survey on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Tomaz Podlesnikar1,2, Nuno Cardim3,4, Nina Ajmone Marsan5
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Medical Centre Maribor, Ljubljanska ulica 5, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
Insights
Global survey reveals most centers follow European guidelines for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) diagnosis and management. Emphasis on provocation maneuvers and exercise stress echocardiography for LV outflow obstruction is needed, with additional sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk markers potentially updating recommendations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Clinical Practice
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) management requires standardized assessment and follow-up.
- Global practices for HCM patient care vary, necessitating evaluation of current approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess current global practices for the diagnosis and management of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
- To evaluate the utilization of imaging modalities and risk stratification tools in HCM care.
Main Methods:
- A global survey was conducted by the EACVI Scientific Initiatives Committee.
- Responses from 213 centers across 38 countries detailed patient management, imaging techniques (echocardiography, CMR), and risk assessment for sudden cardiac death (SCD).
Main Results:
- Most centers (57%) manage HCM patients in general cardiology clinics, while 40% use specialized clinics.
- Echocardiography is primary, with CMR as a complementary tool. Bedside provocation maneuvers (49%) and exercise stress echocardiography (55%) are used for LV obstruction assessment.
- The HCM Risk-SCD score is widely used, but additional markers like late gadolinium enhancement and LV apical aneurysm are also employed for ICD decisions. Regular imaging follow-up (99%) is standard.
Conclusions:
- The majority of centers adhere to European guidelines for HCM diagnosis and management.
- Enhanced emphasis on provocation maneuvers and exercise stress echocardiography is recommended for diagnosing LV outflow obstruction.
- The use of additional SCD risk markers suggests a potential need to update current European recommendations.
Aims:
The European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) Scientific Initiatives Committee performed a global survey to evaluate current practice for the assessment and management of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
Methods And Results:
A total of 213 centres from 38 different countries (87% European) responded to the survey. One hundred twenty-one (57%) centres followed HCM patients in a general cardiology outpatient clinic and 85 (40%) centres in a specialized HCM/cardiomyopathy clinic. While echocardiography was the primary imaging modality, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has become an important complementary tool. Cardiac anatomy, left ventricular (LV) systolic, and diastolic function were assessed according to current European guidelines and recommendations. To evaluate LV obstruction, 49% of the centres performed bedside provocation manoeuvres in every patient and 55% of the centres used exercise stress echocardiography. The majority of centres used the 5-year risk assessment of sudden cardiac death (SCD) calculated with the HCM Risk-SCD score. However, 34% of the centres also used extensive non-infarct late gadolinium enhancement on CMR and 27% the presence of LV apical aneurysm to help select patients for primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy. Ninety-nine percent of the responding centres performed regular imaging follow-up of HCM patients.
Conclusion:
Most centres followed European guidelines and recommendations for the diagnosis and management of patients with HCM. The importance of bedside provocation manoeuvres and exercise stress echocardiography to diagnose LV outflow obstruction requires emphasis. Additional risk markers for SCD are used in many centres and might indicate the need for an update of current European recommendations.
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