Sudden Death in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Few problems are harder for physicians and patients alike than having the ability to predict, but not to avert, adverse events; few adverse events are harder to deal with than sudden death in young people. Thus, familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy presents an extreme problem in medical management. Recent insights into the genetic basis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have not yet led to new, rationally designed treatments, so our diagnostic capabilities have outpaced the therapeutic options. The article by Maron and colleagues1 in this issue of the Journal shows the value of an empirical approach to the prevention of sudden death in patients . . .