Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - The Case for Alcohol Ablation Therapy

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic disease caused by a variety of mutations in proteins, mostly but not exclusively, of the cardiac sarcomere. It is characterized by hypertrophy of the left ventricle (LV), often with obstruction of the LV outflow tract (LVOT), in the absence of another cause, such as hypertension or aortic stenosis, capable of producing the degree of hypertrophy observed. It presents with markedly variable morphologic and hemodynamic abnormalities and clinical manifestations. The present review will briefly summarize the genetics,pathophysiology, clinical features and management of this disease and will mainly deal with the non-surgical reduction of septal hypertrophy by means of transcoronary alcohol septal ablation

ECG Changes Associated With Right-Sided Pneumothorax

Varius ECG changes have been described with pneumothorax, most often left-sided.We present a case of spontaneous right-sided pneumothorax, presenting with an ECG suggestive of an old myocardial infarction. A chest X-ray confirmed the diagnosis of pneumothorax, while an echocardiogram and serial cardiac enzyme testing excluded myocardial infarction (old or recent). ECG changes returned to normal after chest tube insertion and airdrainage. Physicians must be familiar with the ECG changes that can be caused by pneumothorax in order to avoid diagnostic and therapeutic pitfalls

Electrocardiographic Changes Associated With Right-sided Pneumothorax

Several electrocardiographic (ECG) changes have been described with pneumothorax, most often left-sided. We present a case of spontaneous right-sided pneumothorax, presenting with an ECG suggesting an old myocardial infarction. A chest X-ray confirmed the diagnosis of pneumothorax, while an echocardiogram and serial cardiac enzyme testing excluded myocardial infarction. ECG changes returned to normal after chest tube insertion. Physicians should be familiar with the ECG changes that can be caused by pneumothorax in order to avoid diagnostic and therapeutic pitfalls