An Unusual Presentation of Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in an Orthotopic Heart Transplant Recipient

Cureus. 2023 Aug 29;15(8):e44344. doi: 10.7759/cureus.44344. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Abstract

In this case study, we present the evaluation of an orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) patient who presented with persistent shortness of breath and dizziness upon standing. The investigation uncovered the presence of progressive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in the transplanted heart, a condition first detected 11 years after the transplantation. Utilizing echocardiography with global longitudinal strain (GLS), we determined that the HCM likely originated from genetic predominance inherited from the heart donor rather than hypertensive disease. This finding highlights the significance of genetic factors in post-transplant complications and warrants further investigation into the long-term effects of heart transplantation on recipient health.

Keywords: apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; left ventricular apical hypertrophy; mid-ventricular outflow tract obstruction; orthotopic heart transplant.

Publication types

  • Case Reports