Objective To investigate the imaging features of MRI findings and

electrocardiogram (ECG) in patients with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM).

Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrocardiographic imaging data of

18 AHCM patients (12 males and 6 females) diagnosed by Department of Cardiology

in our hospital were collected and analyzed. Results Cardiac MRI showed cardiac

apical hypertrophy in 18 patients, and there were 10 cases of typical apical hypertrophic

cardiomyopathy (T-ANCM) and 8 cases of pre-apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

(P-ACHM), and 5 cases of T-ACHM patients were with “ black peach heart ” typical

sign, and 4 cases of T-AHCM patients showed positive in enhanced scans in delay phase,

and 3 cases of P-AHCM patients showed positive in enhanced scans in delay phase. There

was no statistically significant difference in the positive rate of delayed-phase enhancement

between T-ACHM and P-AHCM (χ2

=0.01, P>0.05). Electrocardiograms in 18 patients

were all abnormal, and T wave inversion was found in 18 cases (100.00%). Among them,

9 cases with a depth greater than 1.1mV were with huge inverted T wave, and 13 cases

showed an increased amplitude in precordial leads R waves. The amplitude depth ranged

from 2.0mV to 5.1mV, and 15 cases showed ST segment shift. When the amplitude depth

ranged from 0.05mV to 0.43mV, the ST segment depression became V6<V5<V4. And

18 cases were with normal cardiac electric axis without abnormal Q waves. Conclusion

Electrocardiogram is convenient and quick for screening of patients with apical

hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but it needs to be differentiated from electrocardiogram

of coronary heart disease. MRI has high diagnostic value and can clearly show cardiac

structure and myocardial perfusion.