Ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest in apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Two case reports

BACKGROUND: Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is considered to have a benign prognosis in terms of cardiovascular mortality. This serial case report aimed to raise awareness of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in apical HCM. CASE SUMMARY: Here we describe two rare cases of apical HCM that presented with documented VF and sudden cardiac collapse. These patients were previously not recommended for primary prevention using implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy based on current guidelines. However, both received ICD therapy for the secondary prevention of SCD. CONCLUSION: These cases illustrate serious complications including VF and aborted sudden cardiac arrest in apical HCM patients who are initially not candidates for primary prevention using ICD implantation based on current guidelines.