Familial Himalayan p wave and left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction.
BACKGROUND
"Himalayan P waves," are reported in congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathies.


METHODS
We report a family with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Himalayan P waves, extensive focal right atrial wall thickening and left ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction (LVHT).


RESULTS
The father received a pacemaker and underwent heart transplantation because of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. His daughters showed Himalayan P waves and right atrial wall thickening. LVHT was diagnosed in sister A at age 23 years and developed in sister B between 42 and 46 years. In sister A the heart rate continuously declined. She refused implantation of a pacemaker and died with 49 years. Sister B, suffers from bradycardia.


CONCLUSIONS
Himalayan P waves are due to focal right atrial wall thickening, may be familially and associated with LVHT.
Hospital Rudolf Foundation, Vienna, Austria.
Claudia
C
Stöllberger
Marion
M
Avanzini
Peter
P
Siostrzonek
Peter
P
Kühn
Walther-Benedikt
WB
Winkler
Josef
J
Finsterer
D000328:Adult; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
cardiomyopathy; giant P wave; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; left ventricular noncompaction