Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic disease inherited as an autosomal dominant trait associated with risk of sudden death. The majority of cases of sudden death occur in young adults with no or few symptoms, which underlines the importance of risk stratification as a basis for selecting a therapeutic strategy. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators are indicated in patients resuscitated following cardiac arrest, and those with sustained ventricular tachycardia or two or more risk factors identified in non-invasive tests.