Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in daily practice: an introduction on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex, inherited cardiac disease that has been subject to intense investigation since it was first described in 1957. Over the past 40 years, understanding has evolved regarding the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of HCM. Analyses of HCM populations from nonreferral centres have refined the insights into the natural history and the occurrence of sudden cardiac death, which is the most devastating component of its natural history. Therapeutic strategies are diverse and may vary during the course of the disease. Optimal therapy depends on symptoms, haemodynamic findings and the presence of risk factors for sudden cardiac death. At present, invasive therapy for patients with obstructive HCM and drug-refractory symptoms includes surgery or percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation. This report summarises the diagnostic criteria, clinical course and therapeutic management of HCM. Attention is also paid to certain issues of special interest in this disease.