Medknow Publications and Staff Society of Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India
Abstract
Described a century ago, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a unique
disease with characteristic inappropriate myocardial hypertrophy that
occurs in the absence of obvious cause for hypertrophy.(1-5) The
macroscopic and microscopic features of this disease have been under
detailed study since 1950. This is particularly significant in the
background of it being one of the most common genetically transmitted
cardiac disorders. There is scant data regarding this in Indian
literature. In this context, the present study by Phadke et al of 14
cases of HCM is commendable. Phadke et al have critically analysed the
pathological data of 14 retrospective cases of HCM. Their study spans
15 years during which time they confirmed HCM in about 14% of all cases
of cardiomyopathy as identified in post-mortem. The macroscopic
features include marked myocardial hypertrophy with relatively small
left ventricular cavity. The finding that predominant left ventricular
involvement is commoner than right ventricular is commensurate with our
clinical experience..