How Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Became a Contemporary Treatable Genetic Disease With Low Mortality

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a relatively common genetic heart disease encumbered throughout much of its almost 60-year history by a large measure of misunderstanding and the perception of a grim outcome without effective treatment options. However, it is now apparent that the majority of patients affected with HCM can achieve normal or near-normal life expectancy without disability, and usually do not require major treatment interventions. Nevertheless, for those patients with HCM who are at risk for (or experience) disease-related complications, a constellation of comprehensive nonpharmacologic management strategies have evolved over the last 15 years, altering the natural history and disease course for many, including implantable defibrillators, heart transplant, external defibrillation/therapeutic hypothermia, advances in surgical myectomy, and alcohol ablation. In particular, expanded contemporary risk stratification strategies have led to a more reliable selection of patients likely to achieve primary prevention of sudden death with implantable defibrillators. Most recently, large cohort studies using current management strategies and therapeutic measures have shown that it is now possible to achieve significantly improved survival with a low HCM-related mortality of 0.5% per year across all ages, and including children and young adults characteristically with the most aggressive disease course. These clinical management initiatives, instituted by the practicing cardiology community, have succeeded in preserving life and restoring an active lifestyle for thousands of patients with HCM, while providing many with a measure of reassurance and a reasonable expectation for an extended (if not normal) life span.