PROGRESSION FROM HYPERTROPHIC OBSTRUCTIVE CARDIOMYOPATHY TO DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY - A NEW CASE-REPORT WITH A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Although cases of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with seconda ry disappearance of evidence of obstruction (systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, aortic valve closure in midsystole, pressure grad ient within the left ventricle) have been reported, progression to dil ated cardiomyopathy seems rare. In the case reported here, hypertrophi c obstructive cardiomyopathy was diagnosed at the age of 25 years on t he basis of phonomechanographic, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic fi ndings. The patient later developed dilated cardiomyopathy with severa l episodes of global heart failure. Death occurred 15 years after the diagnosis. The literature is reviewed with special attention to the fa ctors which may promote progression to dilated cardiomyopathy.