Importance of Vector Velocity Echocardiography and NT-proBNP in Identifying Individuals with Preclinical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Background and aim: Familial HCM gene mutation carriers without overt left ventricular hypertrophy (gene positive/phenotype negative G+/P-) can harbor subclinical changes in cardiovascular structure and function that precede the development of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Conventional echocardiography parameter ejection fraction is normal in HCM patients. We sought to investigate whether Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI) and NT-proBNP are more sensitive to evaluate heart function.