Double jeopardy in the echocardiography laboratory: coexistence of two distinct cardiomyopathies?

Echocardiography. 2014 Sep;31(8):931-5. doi: 10.1111/echo.12502. Epub 2014 Jan 21.

Abstract

Background: In our Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Center, we identified 6 patients each with what appeared to be the occurrence of 2 rare diseases that prompted investigation for a common derivative.

Methods: We reviewed our database, searching for all patients with a diagnosis of HCM, amyloid heart disease and left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC).

Results: Using transthoracic echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging, we identified 6 patients with apical hypertrabeculations and myocardium suggestive of LVNC; 4 of the patients had HCM and 2 of the patients had cardiac amyloidosis.

Conclusions: The significance of these possible concomitant cardiomyopathies is not presently well understood. We did not identify a common derivative when looking for a genetic link, but it is most likely hidden in the genetic substrate, yet to be identified.

Keywords: amyloid heart disease; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; left ventricular noncompaction; phenotypic variability.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amyloidosis / complications*
  • Amyloidosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / complications*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echocardiography / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / complications*
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Supplementary concepts

  • Noncompaction of Left Ventricular Myocardium with Congenital Heart Defects