Re: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD -DLB on June 24, 1998 at 12:48:45:

In Reply to: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy posted by Rhonda on June 22, 1998 at 20:22:17:






My neice who is now pregnant with her second child was recently told that
she has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with indications of left ventricular
hypertrophy.
Her Dr told her to consider a medical necessary abortion but the risk
associated was hemorraging or fatal heart attack.  To keep the baby would
also possably mean death to both.Please tell me what this desease is?
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Dear Rhonda:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy refers to an entire class of diseases.  The common characteristic is that the heart is enlarged.  Left ventricular hypertrophy refers to enlargement of the main pumping chamber of the heart.
Certain forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are obstructive.  This means that the enlarged heart tissue obstructs the flow of blood from the hearts main pumping chamber.  This can be serious if the degree of obstruction is severe, because the heart cannot keep up with the bodys demands for blood, especially with physical exertion.
Your niece should be seen at a high-risk obstetrics department [at a major medical center] as soon as possible.  They can advise about the safest way to proceed.  They can also arrange consultation with a cardiologist to confirm the exact diagnosis.
I wish you and your niece the best of luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with Dr. Lever, a cardiologist with special expertise in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, at Desk F15.