Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a clinical and noninvasive study of 11 cases.

Eleven patients of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were studied by clinical, electrocardiography, systolic and diastolic time intervals, echocardiographic and pulsed Doppler methods. The patients were between 20-55 years of age. There were 10 males and 1 female. Chest discomfort was the predominant symptom. ECG revealed giant T wave inversion in precordial leads in six cases, LAHB and LBBB in 2 cases and abnormal Q waves in 2 cases. Systolic function was normal. However indices of diastolic function (IVRT, RF wave, a/H, LAEI) were abnormal. There was marked increase in the thickness of left ventricle towards the appex (septum 30.4 +/- 3 mm, LVPW 23.2 +/- 7 mm with cavity obliteration). SAM of AML was not observed. Doppler flow studies across aortic and mitral valves were normal.