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Imaging-Based Risk Stratification for Sudden Cardiac Death in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Current Evidence and
Èlia Rifé-Pardo1, Sara Sóñora-López1, Guillem Casas1,2,3
1Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) risk stratification for sudden cardiac death (SCD) is challenging. Cardiac imaging offers advanced predictors, improving risk assessment by linking biomarkers to disease mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited myocardial disorder.
- It is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) across all age groups.
- Current risk stratification algorithms inadequately capture the arrhythmic substrate in HCM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize imaging-derived predictors of SCD in HCM.
- To review established and advanced cardiac imaging techniques for risk stratification.
- To highlight future directions for precision SCD risk assessment in HCM.
Main Methods:
- Review of established echocardiographic markers (e.g., wall thickness, ejection fraction, outflow tract obstruction).
- Examination of advanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters (e.g., late gadolinium enhancement, apical aneurysm).
- Discussion of emerging techniques like extracellular volume, quantitative mapping, and strain abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Cardiac imaging provides detailed structural, functional, and tissue data for SCD prediction.
- Established echocardiographic and advanced CMR parameters are key predictors.
- Emerging imaging biomarkers show promise for refining risk models.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac imaging is pivotal for improving SCD risk stratification in HCM.
- Integrating imaging biomarkers with pathophysiological mechanisms enhances precision.
- Further research is needed to optimize contemporary risk stratification models.
Abstract:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited myocardial disorder and a leading cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD) across all age groups. Accurate risk stratification remains a clinical challenge, as conventional algorithms fail to fully capture the heterogeneous arrhythmic substrate of the disease. In recent years, cardiac imaging has emerged as a pivotal tool for refining SCD prediction by providing detailed structural, functional, and tissue-characterisation data. This review offers a comprehensive synthesis of imaging-derived predictors of SCD in HCM. We examine established echocardiographic markers, including maximal left ventricular wall thickness, left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, together with advanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance parameters such as late gadolinium enhancement and apical aneurysm detection. In addition, we discuss the emerging role of extracellular volume expansion, quantitative mapping techniques, and strain abnormalities within the framework of contemporary risk stratification models. By bridging imaging biomarkers with underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, this review highlights current evidence, limitations, and future directions to improve precision in SCD risk assessment in HCM.
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Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
