APICAL SEGMENTAL DYSFUNCTION IN HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY - PROGRESSION INTO END-STAGE HEART-FAILURE WITH SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH

Apical segmental dysfunction is an unusual finding in hypertrophic car diomyopathy (HCM), It is characterized by a poor clinical course and a high incidence of malignant ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Long-term p rognosis of patients with HCM and apical segmental dysfunction is stil l unclear, We report 2 cases of apical segmental dysfunction in HCM in whom progressive apical dilatation and congestive heart failure devel oped. Both patients died suddenly, and intractable ventricular tachyar rhythmias were documented in I case during resuscitation. This report provides further evidence that apical segmental dysfunction might pred ict a subgroup of patients with HCM who are likely to develop end-stag e heart failure and are at high risk of sudden cardiac death.