Electromechanical relationship in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

We examined whether there is a relationship between repolarization abnormalities on electrocardiography (EKG) and deformation abnormalities by echocardiography. Analysis of baseline EKGs and mechanical (echo-based deformation) changes was performed in 128 patients with a clinical diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) or repolarization abnormalities had higher septal thickness when compared to patients with normal EKG. Patients with EKG evidence of LVH or QT_c prolongation had lower systolic velocity, systolic strain, systolic strain rate, late diastolic velocity, and late diastolic strain rate than patients with a normal EKG. Patients with strain pattern or ST depression/T-wave inversion had lower systolic velocity, systolic strain, systolic strain rate, early diastolic velocity, and late diastolic velocity when compared to patients with normal EKGs. LVH and repolarization abnormalities on surface EKG are markers of impaired systolic and diastolic mechanics in HCM.