A case report of refractory angina in a patient with diabetes and apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Background Using serial imaging over time, this case reviews the natural history of co-morbid Type two diabetes (T2D) and apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and assesses the potential combined impact on myocardial structure and perfusion. Case summary A 59-year-old patient with concomitant T2D and an apical phenotype of HCM was seen over a 11-year period with a significant burden of anginal chest pain. Chest pain was refractory to anti-anginal medical therapy and persisted at on-going follow-up. Multi-modality imaging demonstrated significant deterioration in coronary microvascular function and increased myocardial scar burden despite unobstructed epicardial coronary arteries. Discussion Comorbidity with T2D and apical HCM resulted in a significant increase in myocardial fibrosis and deterioration in coronary microvascular function.