Sudden-death risk factors in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
THE CONTEXT
Risk assessment in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy includes the clinical history, inherited risk, exercise response, rhythm monitoring and myocardial imaging.
Clinical and inherited risk
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Age at diagnosis: Young age at diagnosis is a risk factor.
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Previous arrhythmia or arrest: A history of cardiac arrest or sustained ventricular tachycardia is a risk factor.
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Syncope: Recurrent syncope is a risk factor.
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Inherited risk: An adverse genotype and/or a family history of sudden death at a young age increases concern.
Exercise, rhythm monitoring and imaging
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Exercise response: Exercise-induced hypotension is a risk factor.
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Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring: Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia is a risk factor.
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Ventricular structure: A marked increase in left ventricular wall thickness is a risk factor.
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Magnetic resonance imaging: A high burden of myocardial fibrosis is a risk factor.