On 1/7, Dr. Le Ha Trung, from the cardiology department of Hoan My Sai Gon Hospital, reported that the patient arrived in a coma, with head trauma and bleeding due to a fall. An electrocardiogram revealed abnormalities. To rule out stroke and coronary artery disease, doctors ordered a brain MRI, cardiac CT scan, and echocardiogram. The results showed a heart wall twice the normal thickness, a sign of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The patient wore a 24-hour Holter monitor to investigate the cause of the sudden fainting. This revealed long QT syndrome, a disorder of the heart's electrical activity. The patient's indicators were extremely dangerous, potentially causing sudden cardiac arrhythmia leading to cardiac arrest and death.

According to Dr. Trung, both hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and long QT syndrome carry the risk of serious, life-threatening arrhythmias. To prevent the risk of sudden death from dangerous arrhythmias that could lead to unexpected cardiac arrest in the future, the patient underwent surgery to implant a defibrillator, combined with medical treatment. The patient recovered well afterward, no longer experiencing dizziness or fainting, and has been discharged and returned to normal activities.

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) lasts for 7 to 10 years within the patient's body. When the battery is depleted, a new device is implanted. Patients often feel anxious initially after implantation, but their bodies gradually adapt over time.

Dr. Trung consults with the patient. Photo: Hospital provided

Dr. Trung consults with the patient. Photo: Hospital provided

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a cardiovascular disorder that occurs when the heart muscle thickens abnormally, impairing the heart's ability to pump blood. It is a genetic condition, stemming from gene mutations related to the structural protein of the sarcomere in the heart muscle. Therefore, screening should be performed for both patients and their relatives, helping doctors evaluate the heart promptly, detect and begin early treatment, thereby minimizing adverse outcomes, especially symptomatic heart failure and sudden death.

Athletes, people under 35, or those with a family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are the most commonly affected groups. However, the disease can still occur in older adults, infants, and children. The disease is generally rare and of unknown cause.

With long QT syndrome, factors that can increase the risk often include a history of sudden cardiac arrest or serious arrhythmia, or having a family member (parent, sibling, or child) diagnosed with the condition. Using certain medications that prolong the QT interval, especially cardiovascular, antibiotic, or antipsychotic drugs, can also easily cause the condition.

Other risk groups include women being treated with certain medications that affect the electrical activity of the heart; individuals or families with a history of unexplained fainting or sudden death; those with eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, or thyroid disorders. Electrolyte imbalances due to prolonged vomiting or diarrhea can also alter the electrical activity of the heart.

Some cardiovascular diseases, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and long QT syndrome, often have no symptoms or unclear symptoms," said the doctor. This is the reason why patients cannot detect the disease in its early stages and often receive late treatment, leading to an increased risk of life-threatening complications.

Le Phuong