[Diagnostic criteria of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis in the echocardiogram(author's transl)]

Abstract

Idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS) is morphologically characterized by ventricular septal hypertrophy. It is asymmetrical because there is no corresponding hypertrophy of the posterior wall of the ventricle. The proportion between septal thickness and posterior wall thickness is more than 1.2. In addition, the anterior mitral leaflet moves towards the ventricular septum during the ventricular systole. Finally, the aortic cusps may close prematurely, even during ventricular systole, if there is a marked outflow-tract obstruction. The thickness of the septum and posterior wall, as well as the movement of the mitral and the aortic valves, can be easily registered by the echocardiograph. IHSS is, therefore, more easily diagnosed by this non-invasive method than by any other method. The echocardiogram demonstrates (1) asymmetrical septal hypertrophy, (2) anterior movement of the anterior and frequently also the posterior mitral leaflet in midsystole, (3) partial or complete closure of the aortic valve in mid-systole, (4) relatively small end-diastolic and systolic diameters of the left ventricle, (5) delayed early-systolic closure movement of the anterior mitral leaflet in the sense of a functional mitral stenosis, (6) decreased systolic septal movement.