Description of the Disease
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart condition caused by genetic abnormalities, characterized by thickening of the walls of the left ventricle, often due to thickening of the interventricular septum with the development of obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract - the formation of an obstacle to normal blood outflow from the heart.
Cause of the Disease
The disease is based on genetic disorders and mutations, leading to the disordered arrangement of cardiac cells (cardiomyocytes), disorganization of muscle fibers.
Symptoms of the Disease
The characteristic symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy include shortness of breath during physical exertion, various pains in the chest area, palpitations, dizziness, pre- and syncopal states. The appearance of the above sensations is a reason to consult a cardiologist and undergo examination.
You can do this at our Cardiovascular Surgery Center.
Diagnostics of the Disease
In the diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, electrocardiography (ECG) and ultrasound examination (echocardiography) are mandatory. Echocardiography allows to detect thickening of the myocardium and obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract, assess the function of the heart valves, in particular, the function of the mitral valve is often impaired.
In planning surgical intervention, radiological diagnostic methods are of great importance. CT angiography of the heart allows to assess the degree of hypertrophy, the localization of hypertrophied areas of the myocardium.
Treatment of the Disease
In case of obstructive form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with pronounced symptoms and ineffectiveness of drug therapy, surgical treatment is carried out.
The method of alcohol ablation of the interventricular septum involves the introduction of ethanol into the artery supplying the hypertrophied area of the myocardium, which leads to necrosis and subsequent rejection of this area of the myocardium with a decrease in the thickness of the heart walls.
However, the "gold standard" in the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract is the Morrow operation - septal myectomy. This operation is performed under conditions of artificial blood circulation and consists in excising the thickened interventricular septum, which impedes blood outflow.
Prognosis of the Treatment
In the absence of treatment, the prognosis for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is unfavorable, as the gradual progression of symptoms of heart failure becomes the cause of complications, as well as sudden death.
Thus, timely diagnosis, rational therapy, modern methods of surgical treatment can stabilize the condition, reduce the risks of progression and complications of the disease.