What would echocardiography most likely reveal in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy?

In a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, echocardiography is most likely to reveal asymmetric septal hypertrophy. This condition is characterized by an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, particularly affecting the interventricular septum, which separates the left and right ventricles. The hypertrophy is typically not uniform and can lead to a distinctive pattern where the septal wall is disproportionately thicker compared to the free wall of the left ventricle. This can cause obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle, especially during exertion.

The detection of asymmetric septal hypertrophy through echocardiography is vital as it plays a significant role in diagnosing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and assessing the potential risk of arrhythmias and other complications. The nature of this hypertrophy can also impact the treatment approach and patient management, making its identification critical in echocardiographic evaluations.