[Is the apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy seen in one population in Rio de Janeiro city similar to that found in the East?].

Purpose: To investigate the differences between clinical aspects and evolution of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM) seen in Rio de Janeiro and the Oriental form, which was the first described.

Methods: In 156 patients with AHCM diagnosed in our institution, there were 13 (8.34%) with the apical form of the disease, whose clinical settings, diagnostic procedures and evolution were studied.

Results: There were 8 males and 5 females, between 19 and 75 years old, all white. Electrocardiogram (EKG) showed giant T waves in precordial leads in 10 (76.92%), echocardiogram (ECHO) demonstrated apical hypertrophy in all, 10 (76.92%) had only in the left ventricle, 2 in right ventricle and one involving both. Cineangiography corroborated ECHO findings. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 294 months (x = 95.4). Two deaths occurred in patients with RV involvement, due to large atria, atrial fibrillation, tricuspid or mitral insufficiency and thromboembolism. Among the survivors, the patient with RV disease has diastolic restriction and the ones with LV involvement, 9 are asymptomatic using either propranolol (8) or amiodarone (1), and one uses no medication.

Conclusion: A HCM seen in Rio de Janeiro is similar to that found in the Orient (Japan) regarding presentation, diagnosis and evolution; but in 3 patients we have found RV disease, not described in Japan, characterizing a distinct group with a worse evolution.