Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is a genetic condition in which the heart muscle, particularly the interventricular septum, becomes abnormally thickened without an identifiable cause such as high blood pressure. Echocardiography is the primary diagnostic tool, showing a wall thickness of 15 millimeters or greater in adults without another explanation. The thickening most commonly affects the interventricular septum but can involve any part of the ventricle. HCM is the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes, which is why echocardiographic screening is important for symptomatic individuals and family members of affected patients. M-mode, Doppler, and strain imaging are all used to fully characterize this condition.
Sonography Term