Echocardiographic evaluation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in children / 中国实用儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

The transthoracic echocardiography(TTE)plays a critical role in the diagnosis and evaluation of pediatric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM),and is currently recognized as the first choice in investigation of HCM. Comprehensive TTE is recommended in all children suspected with HCM. To meet the criteria of diagnosis of HCM,the left ventricular wall thickness at any or more segments of left ventricular myocardium should be greater than the predicted mean plus two standard deviations. In the meanwhile,other diseases,such as hypertension,valvular diseases and aortic diseases,which could contribute to increased cardiac load,should be excluded. Besides the measurement of the thickness of the hypertrophic ventricular wall,we should also pay attention to the description of myocardial morphology,myocardial echo intensity,uniformity,and outflow tract obstruction. It is also necessary to assess ventricular size and general systolic and diastolic function,and apply advanced techniques to evaluate myocardial function in order to fully assess the state of the disease or to make differential diagnosis. In addition,echocardiography also has a wide range of application prospects in the treatment of HCM.