[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and sudden death].
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a primary and usually familial cardiac disorder characterized by a genetic, pathophysiologic and clinical complexity. The natural history of the disease is extremely heterogenous: many patients have no or mild symptoms and a near-normal longevity, some develop severe symptoms of heart failure, and others die suddenly often at a young age and in the absence of previous symptoms. Although sudden and unexpected cardiac death may occur at any age in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, this devastating event is the most common modality of death in children and young patients. Despite intense investigation, risk stratification remains a major challenge. This paper examines the present knowledge on risk assessment and treatment strategies for the prevention of sudden death.
Piccininno
M
M
Divisione di Cardiologia, Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genova. m.piccininno@galliera.it
Spirito
P
P
D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors