Syncope in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy due to asystole.

Although faintness, syncope, and sudden death are common in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, their cause has not been well documented. The occurrence of ventricular asystole causing syncope after exercise is described in one patient. The elucidation of the disturbance of rhythm may, therefore, be ofgreat importance, as sudden death may be avoided in these patients by the prophylactic use of a pacemaker.