Myocardial deformation parameters of the left heart chambers are of particular clinical importance because of their possible association with the severity of HCM and the presence of arrhythmias. However,current literature appears conflicting.~This is a prospective cohort study aiming to examine the echocardiographic parameters of myocardial deformation, estimated by the speckle tracking method, and their correlation with clinical presentation and symptomatology, other imaging parameters, exercise capacity, arrhythmias (ventricular or supraventricular) and risk factors for sudden death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.~Although, similar efforts have been made in international literature, they are scarce and their results contradictory. The present study is the first to be performed in a Greek population, a fact that is particularly important given the genetic heterogeneity of the disease.
The purpose of the study is to investigate the potential correlations of global longitudinal strain and peak left atrial strain, measured by speckle tracking echocardiography with the severity of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the risk for arrhythmias.~Specifically the investigational questions are:~Is there a correlation between myocardial deformation parameters of the left heart chambers with other important ultrasound parameters (eg maximal wall thickness, presence of subaortic obstruction, etc.) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?~Is there a correlation between myocardial deformation parameters of the left heart chambers and the symptomatology or functional capacity of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?~Is there a correlation between the myocardial deformation parameters of the left heart chambers and the exercise capacity, as evidenced by the cardiopulmonary exercise test, in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?~Is there a correlation between myocardial deformation parameters of the left heart chambers with the risk of ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmias in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?~Is there a correlation between myocardial deformation parameters of the left heart chambers and risk factors for sudden death?