Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is a complex heart condition that causes abnormal heart muscle development that can restrict or block blood flow out of the heart. AHN cardiologists understand the complex nature of this condition and have extensive experience in performing septal myectomies that allow their patients to experience better health outcomes.
A septal myectomy is an open-heart surgical procedure designed to relieve the obstruction of blood flow from the left ventricle (the heart's main pumping chamber) into the aorta in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). This condition affects a portion of the heart muscle, particularly the wall between the left and right ventricles (the interventricular septum), by thickening areas abnormally. This thickening can block the outflow tract, making it difficult for the heart to effectively pump blood to the body. The primary goal of a septal myectomy is to surgically remove a portion of the thickened heart muscle to relieve this obstruction and improve the heart's ability to pump blood, thereby alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life.
Choosing the right medical team for a specialized procedure like a septal myectomy is crucial to your overall health. At AHN, our team of experienced cardiologists specializes in understanding and treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This treatment is personalized for each of our patients, so you experience care that is designed to support your personal health outcomes. At AHN, we see you.
You’ll be met with compassion and understanding, and we work with you to ensure that every step of your care is explained, and you know your treatment options. AHN cardiologists also work in collaboration with your entire AHN care team to effectively deliver comprehensive care across specialties. This continuity of care, compassion, and personalization is what you can expect from AHN.
A septal myectomy is a major open-heart surgery, performed in a specialized hospital setting, typically lasting three to six hours. Before the procedure, you will undergo extensive testing — a thorough medical exam, detailed cardiac imaging, and blood tests — and consultations to ensure optimal planning and understanding of the surgery's risks and benefits. Your care team will review any medications you take, and you may need to stop taking them prior to the surgery. You will have the opportunity to discuss the surgery with your care team prior to the procedure, so you feel confident beforehand.
During the operation, you will be connected to a heart-lung machine, which temporarily takes over the function of your heart and lungs. This allows the surgeon to operate on a still, bloodless heart so that they may precisely removes a small portion of thickened heart muscle causing obstruction. This highly specialized procedure aims to significantly improve heart function by relieving the blockage, representing a crucial intervention for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Once the myectomy is complete, you'll be taken off the heart-lung machine, and the incisions will be closed. Drainage tubes may be placed to remove fluid from around the heart.
You’ll then be moved to the ICU for close monitoring and the start of your recovery.
Following your septal myectomy, you can expect an initial stay of one to two days in the ICU for close monitoring, followed by several days in a regular hospital room where you'll gradually increase your activity. During this time, pain management, early mobilization, and breathing exercises will be key components of your care.
Once discharged, recovery at home will involve weeks to months of carefully following activity restrictions, diligent wound care, and often participation in cardiac rehabilitation to regain strength and ensure a thorough return to health.
At AHN, we are focused on providing our patients with the latest in cardiovascular surgical options including septal myectomy. This is a major surgery that can make a significant difference in treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Your AHN care team and surgical team are available to answer any questions you may have and are here to support you before, during, and after surgery. To help you feel confident in your care plan, these frequently asked questions are here to provide more information about the surgery.
A septal myectomy is considered a major open-heart surgery. It is a serious procedure that involves significant risks, as with any open-heart operation. These risks can include, but are not limited to, infection, bleeding, blood clots, ventricular septal defect, heart block, stroke, heart attack, and complications related to anesthesia.
However, for patients with severe hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who are experiencing significant symptoms and whose condition is not manageable with medication, a septal myectomy can be a highly effective treatment that significantly improves quality of life and reduces the risk of serious complications from HCM. The decision to undergo surgery is made after careful evaluation by a team of heart specialists, considering the individual patient's health status, severity of their condition, and potential benefits versus risks.
A septal myectomy is a surgical procedure primarily used to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), specifically a form called obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In HCM, the heart muscle, particularly the wall separating the two bottom chambers of the heart (the septum), becomes abnormally thick. In obstructive HCM, this thickened septum bulges into the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), which is the area where blood exits the heart to go to the rest of the body. This obstruction makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood effectively, leading to symptoms like:
Septal myectomy is typically recommended for patients with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who meet specific criteria. These include individuals who:
The decision for surgery is made in consultation with a specialized cardiology team after a thorough evaluation of the patient's condition, symptoms, and the severity of their obstruction. It's often considered a highly effective long-term treatment for carefully selected patients.
A septal myectomy is considered a highly successful and durable treatment for symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in carefully selected patients.
For patients with severe obstructive HCM who have not responded to medical management, septal myectomy can offer an excellent prognosis with high rates of symptom improvement and good long-term survival, making it the gold standard surgical treatment for this condition.
If you have not been formally diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, call (412) DOCTORS 412-362-8677 or request an appointment to schedule with a PCP and discuss all possible causes of your symptoms. Your PCP may refer you to a general cardiologist for evaluation. If you have been formally diagnosed and would like a second opinion or to discuss septal myectomy as a possible treatment option, call (412) DOCTORS 412-362-8677.
