Contemporary Diagnosis and Management of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The Role of Echocardiography and Multimodality Imaging.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is an underdiagnosed genetic heart disease with an estimated prevalence of 0.2-0.5%. Although the prognosis of HCM is relatively good, with an annual general mortality of ~0.7%, some patients have an increased risk of sudden death, or of developing severe heart failure requiring heart transplantation or left ventricular (LV) assist device therapy. Therefore, earlier diagnosis and proper identification of high-risk patients may reduce disease-related morbidity/mortality by promoting timely treatment. Echocardiography is the primary imaging modality for patients with suspected HCM; it plays central roles in differential diagnosis from other causes of LV hypertrophy and in evaluating morphology, hemodynamic disturbances, LV function, and associated valvular disease. Echocardiography is also an essential tool for the continuous clinical management of patients with confirmed HCM. Other imaging modalities, such as cardiac computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can supplement echocardiography in identifying high-risk as well as milder HCM phenotypes. The role of such multimodality imaging has been steadily expanding along with recent advancements in surgical techniques and minimally invasive procedures, and the emergence of novel pharmacotherapies directly targeting pathogenic molecules such as myosin inhibitors. Here we review essential knowledge surrounding HCM with a specific focus on structural and functional abnormalities assessed by imaging modalities, leading to treatment strategies.

One Indication for an Extravascular Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator: Lessons from a Combination Therapy Case with Epicardial Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy and a Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

Extravascular cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) defibrillators (CRT-Ds) are ideal for recurrent blood stream infections. Furthermore, CRT is useful for patients intolerant to right ventricular (RV) pacing. The case was a 65-year-old man with a CRT-D who presented with a blood stream infection. Because he was hemodynamically unstable with temporary RV pacing, an epicardial CRT device was re-implanted concomitantly through a surgical procedure. After the operation, a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) was placed. However, not all pacing is eligible for S-ICD screening. Combination therapy with an epicardial CRT device and S-ICD might be an alternate option for cardiac surgery cases.

Culture-negative group B streptococcal pericarditis: A case report and literature review of the diagnostic use of polymerase chain reaction.

Although conventional microbiology cultures may be negative, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can effectively identify both typical and atypical microorganisms. With careful interpretation, PCR could become the gold-standard diagnostic test for culture-negative bacterial pericarditis.