Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy with Giant T Waves: Experience in Pakistan.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cariomyopathies are a heterogenous group of disorders characterized by heart muscle dysfunction (1, 2). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathi which is the second most common type of cardiomyopathy is. Now also known to have many clinico-pathological types including the rarest and the most recently recognized variety called “Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy” describe d by the Japanese 13). This variety which was thought to be peculiar to the Far East only has been noted to occur sporadically, in the western populations (4, 5, 6). This paper describes the occurrence of this relatively rare form of disease in Pakistan. DISCUSSION: Cardiomyopathies are a group of disorders affecting the heart muscle and of unknown or ill understood etiology and not secondary tb any known disease (I). As characterized by John Goodwin (2) and the W.H.O. (1) the two commonest varieties are the Dilated Cardiomyopathy which as the name implies is characterized by dilatation of the ventricles usually without any hypertrophy and a marked diminution in the systolic contractile function resulting in congestive heart failure and ultimately death – in simple terms systolic function failure. The use of amiodarone would appear to be most appropriate if significant arrythmja are documented. The natural history of this condition is not fully elucidated but may be better than some other forms of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. However, in view of the serious nature of this class of diseases (15) these patients should be closely followed until further data is forthcoming.