The D‐HCM score, a new diagnostic tool for distinguishing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from hypertensive cardiopathy

Abstract

Aim

The diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with moderate hypertrophy is challenging. Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) is the most common differential diagnosis that mimics the LVH of HCM. The aim of this study was to compare the QRS duration in HCM and HHD to create a novel diagnostic tool to identify primary HCM.

Methods and results

We conducted an international retrospective multicentre study enrolling patients with true HCM and HHD. A total of 547 individuals with HCM and 139 with HHD were included. The median QRS duration was significantly shorter in HCM than in HHD (88 ms [80–94] vs. 98 ms [88–108]; P < 0.01). Multivariable logistic regression identified for the novel diagnostic HCM (D‐HCM) score: absence of antihypertensive drugs (+2); family history of unexplained sudden death (+2); QRS duration [<95 ms] = +1; maximum wall thickness (mm) [≥17] = +1. A cumulative QRS‐HCM score ≥2 supports the diagnostic certainty of true HCM with a sensitivity of 79%, specificity of 99%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 55%, and positive predictive value (PPV) of 99%.

Conclusion

The QRS duration in patient with HCM is significantly shorter compared with patients with HHD‐related LVH. QRS duration can be used as a diagnosis marker to distinguish between HCM and HHD. The D‐HCM score is a novel, simple, and accurate diagnosis tool for HCM patients with mild to moderate phenotypes.