A 48-year-old man presents to the hospital after passing out during a basketball game with his friends. He was running toward the basket when he “blacked out.” He does not remember how long he was out, but he does remember waking up. On examination, his vitals are normal. Cardiac examination reveals a 3/6 midsystolic crescendo–decrescendo murmur heard best over the right upper sternal border, which radiates to the carotid arteries. The rest of the examination, including a neurologic examination, is normal. An ECG suggests left ventricular hypertrophy. Which of the following symptoms carries the worst prognosis in this condition?Ask StudybuddyGroup of answer choicesPalpitationsDyspnea from pulmonary edemaSyncopeAngina
Question
A 48-year-old man presents to the hospital after passing out during a basketball game with his friends. He was running toward the basket when he “blacked out.” He does not remember how long he was out, but he does remember waking up. On examination, his vitals are normal. Cardiac examination reveals a 3/6 midsystolic crescendo–decrescendo murmur heard best over the right upper sternal border, which radiates to the carotid arteries. The rest of the examination, including a neurologic examination, is normal. An ECG suggests left ventricular hypertrophy. Which of the following symptoms carries the worst prognosis in this condition?Ask StudybuddyGroup of answer choicesPalpitationsDyspnea from pulmonary edemaSyncopeAngina
Solution
The patient's symptoms and examination findings suggest a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM is a genetic disorder characterized by left ventricular hypertrophy, and it's a common cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes.
The symptoms of HCM can vary, and they include palpitations, dyspnea from pulmonary edema, syncope, and angina. Among these symptoms, syncope (fainting or passing out), especially if it's exertional or occurs during physical activity, is associated with the worst prognosis.
This is because syncope in HCM can indicate a high risk of sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmias. Therefore, in the context of HCM, syncope carries the worst prognosis.
Similar Questions
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