The clinical profile of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Seven cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, presenting in a cardiological practice over a period of three years, are documented to illustrate the clinical spectrum of this disease. Frequently this disorder presents with symptoms resembling those of ischaemic heart disease accompanied by left ventricular hypertrophy without obvious cause. It is often familial. The clinical course is variable, but in general slowly progressive; the prognosis depends largely on the severity of disease when the patient presents for treatment. Although no fully satisfactory treatment is available, beta-blockade often ameliorates symptoms, and surgery may benefit selected patients with advanced disease.