Abstract
The objective of this study was to introduce several novel indices to evaluate the apical morphological and dynamical features of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM) and hypertensive patients using echocardiography. A total of 125 selected subjects underwent echocardiography imaging, 35 patients with AHCM, 45 patients with essential hypertension and 45 healthy controls. The apical morphological and dynamic features included apical-basal wall thickness ratio (ABR, maximal apical wall thickness / posterior basal wall thickness), apical angle (apA), peak blood flow velocity at the apical cavity (V(ap)) and its ratio to the velocity at left ventricular outflow tract (V(ap)/ V(lvot)), and, relative apical longitudinal strain [RALS, RALS = apical longitudinal strain (LS(apical))/ sum of basal and mid LS (LS(basal) +LS(middle))]. Patients with hypertension had lower apA, higher Vap compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001 for all). However, ABR, V(ap)/ V(lvot), RALS between the 2 groups showed no statistically difference. Compared to healthy controls and hypertensives, AHCM had significantly higher ABR, V(ap)/ V(lvot), and lower apA, RALS (p < 0.001 for all). The echocardiographic parameters (ABR, apA, Vap/Vlvot, and RALS) demonstrate promising performance in characterizing apical morphology and dynamics between hypertensive patients and those with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, suggesting potential value for future investigations exploring diagnostic applications. Echocardiography is a valuable and promising tool to assess the apical morphology and dynamics.