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The following is a summary of “Effect of disopyramide therapy on functional capacity improvement in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy,” published in the December 2024 issue of Cardiology by Güler et al.    

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) causes symptoms and poor outcomes. Disopyramide is commonly used to reduce LVOTO in obstructive HCM (oHCM).  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the effect of disopyramide on functional capacity in individuals with oHCM.  

They divided individuals with symptomatic oHCM (October 2021–May 2024) into 2 groups, 1 receiving disopyramide and the other receiving beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers due to disopyramide unavailability. Treatment response was a 1-stage improvement in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class. Clinical and laboratory data were compared between the groups, including N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and LVOT gradient.  

The results showed that 62% of the disopyramide group (mean follow-up: 15.2 months, mean daily dose: 395 mg) had a 1-stage improvement in the NYHA class, compared to 26% in the control group. Disopyramide use and the presence of extensive late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were independent predictors of functional improvement (P<0.001). Despite the progress in functional capacity, no difference in overall clinical outcomes was observed between the groups. Disopyramide-related side effects were minimal, with no discontinuations due to QT prolongation.  

They concluded that disopyramide significantly improved functional capacity in individuals with oHCM, highlighting the need for better accessibility to disopyramide.  

Source: internationaljournalofcardiology.com/article/S0167-5273(24)01535-3/abstract