Apical Hypertrophy in an African American Male: Case Presentation and Literature Review

Abstract

Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is a variant of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy frequently found in Eastern Asian countries, but rarely seen in the United States. Patients typically present with symptoms of diastolic heart failure and characteristic electrocardiographic findings. Further risk-stratification is based on echocardiographic and cardiac MRI findings. Although classically thought to carry a favorable prognosis, recent evidence suggests a more nuanced approach to risk stratification and prognosis should be adopted. Here we present the case of a young male newly diagnosed with ApHCM and review the salient factors informing subsequent evaluation. Case Presentation A 39 year-old African American male with a past medical history notable for hypertension presented for outpatient cardiology consultation for atypical chest pain and an abnormal electrocardiogram.