Final answer:
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is characterized by the abnormal thickening of the heart muscle. The auscultatory findings in HOCM include a systolic ejection murmur.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is a condition characterized by the abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, specifically the ventricular septum. This leads to obstruction of blood flow out of the heart. The auscultatory findings in patients with HOCM include a systolic ejection murmur, which is a harsh, diamond-shaped sound, heard best at the left sternal border and upper left sternal border. The murmur typically increases in intensity with maneuvers that increase the obstruction, such as standing, Valsalva maneuver, or administration of amyl nitrite.