Question

Young male died during exercise. History of similar deaths in sibling, On gross morphology: septal thickening was seen. Most common cause of death?

• A. Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)
• B. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy (RCM)
• C. Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM)
• D. Viral Myocarditis

Hint:

HOCM is the most common cause of sudden death in young athletes, and its early detection can prevent tragic outcomes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In this scenario, the young male's death during exercise, coupled with a history of similar deaths among siblings and septal thickening observed in gross morphology, points toward a hereditary cardiac condition. The most common cause of such presentations is Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Let's examine the key factors leading to this conclusion:

• Family History: The genetic link, evidenced by deaths in siblings, strongly suggests a hereditary condition, common in HOCM, which is often autosomal dominant.
• Exercise-Related Death: HOCM is known for causing sudden cardiac death during physical exertion, especially in young athletes, due to arrhythmias or outflow tract obstruction.
• Septal Thickening: A hallmark of HOCM is asymmetric septal hypertrophy, leading to outflow obstruction and often detectable through gross morphology.

Based on the provided evidence and clinical characteristics, HOCM is the most likely cause of death in this case, distinguishing it from other conditions like Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Restrictive Cardiomyopathy, or Viral Myocarditis, which do not fit the profile as clearly.