Syncope occurs in 15-25% of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is associated with an increased risk of sudden death in young patients, though the mechanism often remains unexplained.
Syncope is a common and potentially high-risk symptom in HCM that requires thorough investigation to identify treatable mechanisms such as arrhythmias.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an inherited disease with marked phenotypic variability that includes the extent of hypertrophy, the presence and severity of symptoms, and the natural history of the disease. Symptoms of impaired consciousness (syncope and pre-syncope) occur in approximately 15-25% of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In young patients a history of recurrent syncope is associated with an increased risk of sudden death. Detailed investigations identify a probable mechanism in a minority of these, usually paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. In the majority, however, no likely mechanism is found despite extensive investigation. Although this may be the case, it is still of vital importance to exclude potentially treatable causes of syncope.
Williams et al. (Thu,) conducted a review in Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Syncope occurs in 15-25% of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is associated with an increased risk of sudden death in young patients, though the mechanism often remains unexplained.