[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular dynamic obstruction syndrome in hypertensive adult patients].

Seven adult patients with old and severe arterial hypertension were found to have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular obstruction demonstrated by an isoproterenol test. Whenever feasible, confirmation that systolic obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract was due to anterior systolic movement of the mitral valve was obtained. Echocardiography revealed a number of ultrasonic features (asymmetrical septal hypertrophy, small left ventricle and clear-cut reduction of the left ventricular outflow tract) which put these cases closer to the primary hypertrophic cardiopathy group than to the hypertensive cardiomyopathy group, with a similar history of hypertension. Detecting this group is facilitated by the use of vasoactive drugs in patients with these echocardiographic features. This is important since there is a risk of poor tolerance to vasodilators, notably nitrates, which may suddenly reveal the left ventricular dynamic obstruction syndrome. These patients are also exposed to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.