[Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation. 9 cases]

Thirty six patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) (hemodynamic diagnosis: 28 cases, echocardiography alone: 8 cases) were included in a retrospective study from 1972 to 1981. Two groups of patients were identified: 9 patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and 27 patients without AF. A comparison of these two groups showed no significant difference. However, an actuarial study showed that, although AF was a late complication in 4 patients (average age 53 years, duration: 8 years), in four other patients, attacks of AF were documented 8 years before the diagnosis of HOCM at a mean age of 37 years. This study suggests that the diagnosis of HOCM should be considered in cases of AF in young patients.