HCM Guidelines Made Simple Tool GL HCM
HCM Guidelines Made Simple Tool GL HCM
HCM Guidelines Made Simple Tool GL HCM
ACC.org/GMSHCM
2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients
with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint
Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines
Writing Committee:
Steve R. Ommen, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair
Seema Mital, MD, FACC, FAHA, FRCPC, Vice Chair
Michael A. Burke, MD
Sharlene M. Day, MD
Anita Deswal, MD, MPH, FACC, FAHA
Perry Elliott, MD, FACC
Lauren L. Evanovich, PhD
Judy Hung, MD, FACC
José A. Joglar, MD, FACC, FAHA
Paul Kantor, MBBCh, MSc
Carey Kimmelstiel, MD, FACC
Michelle Kittleson, MD, PhD, FACC
Mark S. Link, MD, FACC
Martin S. Maron, MD
Matthew W. Martinez, MD, FACC
Christina Y. Miyake, MD, MS
Hartzell V. Schaff, MD, FACC
Christopher Semsarian, MBBS, PhD, MPH, FAHA
Paul Sorajja, MD, FACC, FAHA
The ACC/AHA Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines has commissioned this guideline
to address comprehensive evaluation and management of adults and children with hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy (HCM). Diagnostic modalities such as electrocardiography, imaging and genetic
testing, and management of patients include medical therapies, septal reduction therapies,
sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk assessment/prevention, and lifestyle considerations such as
participation in activities/sports, occupation, and pregnancy.
The following resource contains tables and figures from the 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and
Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. The resource is only an excerpt from
the Guideline and the full publication should be reviewed for more tables and figures as well as
important context.
Diagnosis………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11
Table 5. Clinical Features in Patients With “HCM Phenocopies (Mimics)”………………………………11
Management of Symptoms……………………………………………………………………………………… 14
Figure 4. Management of Symptoms in Patients With HCM………………………………………………14
Sports Participation…………………………………………………………………………………………… 18
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GUIDELINES MADE SIMPLE
HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
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GUIDELINES MADE SIMPLE
HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
1 Shared decision-making, a dialogue between patients and their care team that includes full
disclosure of all testing and treatment options, discussion of the risks and benefits of those
options and, importantly, engagement of the patient to express their own goals, is particularly relevant in the
management of conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
2 Athough the primary cardiology team can initiate evaluation, treatment, and longitudinal care, referral
to multidisciplinary HCM centers with graduated levels of expertise can be important to optimizing
care for patients with HCM. Challenging treatment decisions—where reasonable alternatives exist, where the
strength of recommendation is weak (e.g., any Class 2b decision) or is particularly nuanced, and for invasive
procedures that are specific to patients with HCM—represent crucial opportunities to refer patients to these HCM
centers.
3 Counseling patients with HCM regarding the potential for genetic transmission of HCM is one of the
cornerstones of care. Screening first-degree family members of patients with HCM, using either genetic
testing or an imaging/electrocardiographic surveillance protocol, can begin at any age and can be influenced by
specifics of the patient/family history and family preference. As screening recommendations for family members
hinge on the pathogenicity of any detected variants, the reported pathogenicity should be reconfirmed every 2 to
3 years
4 Optimal care for patients with HCM requires cardiac imaging to confirm the diagnosis, characterize the
pathophysiology for the individual, and identify risk markers that may inform decisions regarding interventions
for left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and sudden cardiac death (SCD) prevention. Echocardiography continues to be
the foundational imaging modality for patients with HCM. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging will also be helpful
in many patients, especially those in whom there is diagnostic uncertainty, poor echocardiographic imaging windows, or
where uncertainty persists regarding decisions around implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement.
5 Assessment of an individual patient’s risk for SCD continues to evolve as new markers emerge (e.g.,
apical aneurysm, decreased left ventricular systolic function, and extensive gadolinium enhancement).
In addition to a full accounting of an individual’s risk markers, communication with patients regarding not just
the presence of risk markers but also the magnitude of their individualized risk is key. This enables the informed
patient to fully participate in the decision-making regarding ICD placement, which incorporates their own level of
risk tolerance and treatment goals.
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GUIDELINES MADE SIMPLE
HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
6 The risk factors for SCD in children with HCM carry different weights than those observed in adult
patients; they vary with age and must account for different body sizes. Coupled with the complexity of
placing ICDs in young patients with anticipated growth and a higher risk of device complications, the threshold
for ICD implantation in children often differs from adults. These differences are best addressed at primary or
comprehensive HCM centers with expertise in children with HCM.
7 Septal reduction therapies (surgical septal myectomy and alcohol septal ablation), when performed by
experienced HCM teams at dedicated centers, continue to improve in safety and efficacy such that earlier
intervention may be possible in select patients with drug-refractory or severe outflow tract obstruction causing signs of
cardiac decompensation. Given the data on the significantly improved outcomes at comprehensive HCM centers, these
decisions represent an optimal referral opportunity.
8 Patients with HCM and persistent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation have a sufficiently increased
risk of stroke such that oral anticoagulation with direct oral anticoagulants (or alternatively warfarin)
should be considered the default treatment option independent of the CHA2DS2VASc score. As rapid atrial
fibrillation is often poorly tolerated in patients with HCM, maintenance of sinus rhythm and rate control are
key pursuits in successful treatment.
9 Heart failure symptoms in patients with HCM, in the absence of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction,
should be treated similarly to other patients with heart failure symptoms, including consideration of
advanced treatment options (e.g., cardiac resynchronization therapy, left ventricular assist device, transplantation).
In patients with HCM, an ejection fraction <50% connotes significantly impaired systolic function and identifies
individuals with poor prognosis and who are at increased risk for SCD.
10 Increasingly, data affirm that the beneficial effects of exercise on general health can be extended to
patients with HCM. Healthy recreational exercise (moderate intensity) has not been associated with
increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia events in recent studies. Whether an individual patient with HCM wishes to
pursue more rigorous exercise/training is dependent on a comprehensive shared discussion between that patient
and their expert HCM care team regarding the potential risks of that level of training/participation but with the
understanding that exercise-related risk cannot be individualized for a given patient.
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GUIDELINES MADE SIMPLE
HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Diagnostic Testing
(ECG, Imaging, Genetics)
(See Figure 2 for details
1 on genetic testing)
Phenotype Negative Phenotype Positive
2
Family with Every 1-2 years or with change in
known P/LP symptoms* (1)
variant? Serial evaluation for clinical status,
(See Figure 2 for SCD risk (if no ICD present), or
more detail) sooner with change in symptoms:
• Clinical assessment
• Echo
YES NO • Holter
Patient
has family YES, or Unknown Every 3-5 y (2b)
variant?
CMR for SCD risk assessment (if no
NO ICD present), or to evaluate for any
suspected morphologic changes
3
Further clinical or genetic
testing is not recommended
(3: No Benefit)
Asymptomatic Symptomatic
4 5
Reassess variant Screening ECG and Echo Every 2-3 y (2b) Treadmill or Bike Exercise Testing (1)
classification (1) (CMR if echo is inconclusive) Treadmill exercise or Special consideration:
at the intervals in the table Cardiopulmonary exercise testing • Stress echo if gradient <50 mm Hg
below (1) for assessment of functional status
• CPET if considering advanced HF
Variant = P/LP Variant downgraded to VUS
therapies
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GUIDELINES MADE SIMPLE
HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Strong evidence HCM genes include, at the time of this publication: MYH7, MYBPC3, TNNI3, TNNT2, TPM1,
MYL2, MYL3, and ACTC1.
Determining pathogenicity of variants relies on a weight of collective evidence based on American College of Medical
Genetics and Genomics criteria and may change over time.
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HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Regular reevaluation
for variant
Disease-causing reclassification VUS, LB/B or
LP/P variant no variant identified
(See Figure 1, Box 4)
(1)
Further clinical or
Regular follow-up genetic testing not Regular clinical
Regular follow-up
recommended surveillance
(See Figure 1, Box 2) (See Figure 1, Box 2)
(1) (See Figure 1, Box 3) (See Figure 1, Box 5)
(1)
(3: No Benefit) (1)
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HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Diagnosis
Table 5. Clinical Features in Patients With
“HCM Phenocopies (Mimics)”
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HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Family history of sudden Sudden death judged definitively or likely attributable to HCM in ≥1 first-
death from HCM degree or close relatives who are ≤50 years of age. Close relatives would
generally be second-degree relatives; however, multiple SCDs in tertiary
relatives should also be considered relevant.
Massive LVH Wall thickness ≥30 mm in any segment within the chamber by
echocardiography or CMR imaging; consideration for this morphologic
marker is also given to borderline values of ≥28 mm in individual
patients at the discretion of the treating cardiologist. For pediatric
patients with HCM, an absolute or z-score threshold for wall thickness
has not been established; however, a maximal wall that corresponds to
a z-score ≥20 (and >10 in conjunction with other risk factors) appears
reasonable.
HCM with LV systolic Systolic dysfunction with EF <50% by echocardiography or CMR imaging.
dysfunction
Extensive LGE on CMR Diffuse and extensive LGE, representing fibrosis, either quantified or
imaging estimated by visual inspection, comprising ≥15% of LV mass (extent of
LGE conferring risk has not been established in children).
NSVT on ambulatory It would seem most appropriate to place greater weight on NSVT as a
monitor risk marker when runs are frequent (≥3), longer (≥10 beats), and faster
(≥200 bpm) occurring usually over 24 to 48 hours of monitoring. For
pediatric patients, a VT rate that exceeds the baseline sinus rate by >20%
is considered significant.
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HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Prior event
YES An ICD is recommended (1)
(SCD, VF, sustained VT)
NO
At least 1 of the
following:
• FH SCD*
• Massive LVH* YES† An ICD is reasonable (2a)
• Unexplained
Syncope*
• Apical aneurysm
• EF ≤50%
NO
Children
NSVT *‡ YES
NO Adults†
NO
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HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Management of Symptoms
Figure 4. Management of Symptoms in Patients With HCM
HCM Patients
Treat comorbidities
according to GL
(1)
Obstructive physiology?
Symptoms?
Repeat evaluation as
NO YES
per Figure 1, Box 2
Beta-blockade
(1)
Verapamil or diltiazem
(1)
If symptoms persist
Septal reduction
Disopyramide
therapy
(1)
(1)
Surgical
candidate?
NO YES
NO YES
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HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
1 B-NR 3. F
or patients with obstructive HCM who have persistent severe
symptoms* attributable to LVOTO despite beta-blockers or non-
dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, either adding disopyramide
in combination with 1 of the other drugs, or SRT performed at
experienced centers,† is recommended.
1 C-LD 4. F or patients with obstructive HCM and acute hypotension who do not
respond to fluid administration, intravenous phenylephrine (or other
vasoconstrictors without inotropic activity), alone or in combination
with beta-blocking drugs, is recommended.
2b C-EO 5. For patients with obstructive HCM and persistent dyspnea with clinical
evidence of volume overload and high left- sided filling pressures
despite other HCM GDMT, cautious use of low-dose oral diuretics may
be considered.
2b C-EO 6. For patients with obstructive HCM, discontinuation of vasodilators
(e.g., angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor
blockers, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers) or digoxin may be
reasonable because these agents can worsen symptoms caused by
dynamic outflow tract obstruction.
3: Harm C-LD 7. For patients with obstructive HCM and severe dyspnea at rest,
hypotension, very high resting gradients (e.g., >100 mm Hg), as well
as all children <6 weeks of age, verapamil is potentially harmful.
*Symptoms include effort-related dyspnea or chest pain; and occasionally other exertional symptoms (e.g., syncope, near syncope) that are attributed to LVOTO
and interfere with everyday activity or quality of life.
†Comprehensive or primary HCM centers with demonstrated excellence in clinical outcomes for these procedures (Table 3 and 4).
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HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Potential HCM Care Delivery Competencies Comprehensive Primary HCM Referring Centers/
HCM Center Center Physicians
Diagnosis X X X
Initial and surveillance TTE X X X
Advanced echocardiographic imaging to detect latent LVOTO X X
Echocardiography to guide SRT X *
CMR imaging for diagnosis and risk stratification X X
Invasive evaluation for LVOTO X * *
Coronary angiography X X X
Stress testing for elicitation of LVOTO or consideration of X X
advanced HF therapies/transplant
Counseling and performing family screening X X X
(imaging and genetic)
Genetic testing/counseling X X *
SCD risk assessment X X X
Class 1 and Class 2a ICD decision-making with adult patients X X X
Class 2B ICD decision-making with adult patients X
ICD implantation (adults) X X *
ICD decision-making and implantation with children/ X *
adolescents and their parents
Initial AF management and stroke prevention X X X
AF catheter ablation X X *
Initial management of HFrEF and HFpEF X X X
Advanced HF management (e.g., transplantation, CRT) X *
Pharmacologic therapy for symptomatic obstructive HCM X X X
Invasive management of symptomatic obstructive HCM X †
Counseling occupational and healthy living choices other X X X
than high-intensity or competitive activities
Counseling options on participation in high-intensity or X
competitive athletics
Managing women with HCM through pregnancy X *
Management of comorbidities X X X
†If these procedures are performed, adequate quality assurance should be in place to demonstrate
outcomes consistent with that achieved by comprehensive centers.
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HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Rate
Myectomy Alcohol Septal Ablation
30-d mortality ≤1% ≤1%
30-d adverse complications ≤10% ≤10%
(tamponade, LAD dissection, infection,
major bleeding)
30-d complete heart block resulting in need for ≤5% ≤10%
permanent pacemaker
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HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Sports Participation
Recommendations for Sports and Activity
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GUIDELINES MADE SIMPLE
HCM 2020 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
HCM Patients
Section on
Obstructive
YES obstructive HCM
physiology?
(See Figure 4)
NO
Systolic function
Section on
LVEF <50% LVEF ≥50% symptomatic
nonobstructive HCM
Discontinue
ARNI/ACEI/ARB,
Evaluate for negative inotropic
beta-blocker, and Implantable
other causes of agents (verapamil,
MRA per heart cardiac-defibrillator
reduced EF diltiazem,
failure guideline (2a)
(1) disopyramide)
(1)
(2a)
Reevaluation after
GDMT
Recurrent ventricular
NYHA class I-II NYHA class III-IV
arrhythmias
If patient
Evaluate for heart decompensates
CRT
transplant while listed,
(2a)
(1) evaluate for LVAD
(2a)
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