Comparison of Squat-to-Stand Maneuver With Amyl Nitrite, Valsalva, and Exercise Stress Echocardiography in Inducing Latent Left Ventricular Outflow Obstruction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of squat-to-stand maneuver in eliciting left ventricular outflow gradients in patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) compared to Valsalva, amyl nitrite inhalation, and exercise stress echocardiogram (ESE).

Left ventricular hypertrophy and abnormal ventricular configuration result in dynamic left ventricular outflow obstruction in \~75% of HCM patients, which is associated with increased cardiac morbidity and mortality. However, the dynamic nature of the gradient can make obstruction difficult to identify. Provocative maneuvers such as Valsalva maneuver, administration of amyl nitrite, and ESE are currently used to assess for obstruction. A shortage of amyl nitrite beginning in December 2018 spurred a search for alternative provocative maneuvers. Beginning in February 2019, the Mayo Clinic echocardiography laboratory began utilizing a squat-to-stand maneuver as an alternative to amyl nitrite inhalation. Anecdotally, the squat-to-stand maneuver, which decreases both preload and afterload, has been successful in provoking latent left ventricular outflow obstruction. A retrospective study (Peng et al, in progress) studying 119 patients who performed the squat-to-stand maneuver between February and September 2019 demonstrated squat-to-stand to be a more robust provocative maneuver than the Valsalva maneuver for identifying severe dynamic left ventricular obstruction with Doppler echocardiography. Squat-to-stand elicited latent obstruction in a greater proportion of the study participants and higher average gradients. It also demonstrated the potential to alter clinical management - six patients had severe obstruction only with squat-to-stand (otherwise would not have been diagnosed) and subsequently underwent septal reduction surgery. The recent return of amyl nitrite to the echocardiography laboratory creates an opportunity for direct comparison with squat-to-stand, particularly regarding cost savings and diagnostic performance. The primary purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and degree of provocation of left ventricular outflow gradients by the squat-to-stand maneuver compared to amyl nitrite inhalation in patients with HCM undergoing echocardiography. Squat-to-stand will also be compared with other provocation methods, including Valsalva maneuver, which should be performed on every patient going on to squat-to-stand, and ESE when available. Validating this novel provocative maneuver can broaden the toolbox of techniques used to elicit left ventricular outflow gradients and improve clinical evaluation and management of symptomatic HCM patients.