PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - G S Soor AU - A Luk AU - E Ahn AU - J R Abraham AU - A Woo AU - A Ralph-Edwards AU - J Butany TI - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: current understanding and treatment objectives AID - 10.1136/jcp.2008.061655 DP - 2009 Mar 01 TA - Journal of Clinical Pathology PG - 226--235 VI - 62 IP - 3 4099 - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/62/3/226.short 4100 - http://jcp.bmj.com/content/62/3/226.full SO - J Clin Pathol2009 Mar 01; 62 AB - The understanding of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has changed dramatically over the last few decades, and it is now understood to be caused by a mutation in one of several cardiac sarcomeric genes. Due to complications such as outflow tract obstruction, diastolic dysfunction, arrhythmias, stroke, infective endocarditis and sudden cardiac death, appropriate and early identification of these patients is imperative. This review attempts to summarise the current state of knowledge on HCM, and provide insight of the appropriate investigations needed in patients with HCM. It also outlines treatment strategies for these patients. Much remains unknown about this complex and intriguing disease, and continued research in identifying the genetic basis of HCM, along with the assessment of therapeutic strategies, will help to optimise patient care.