Mechanisms for recurrent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction after septal myectomy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
BACKGROUND
Left ventricular septal myectomy provides excellent outcomes for symptomatic patients with severe obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, in a few patients, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction may recur and require repeat myectomy. We reviewed this subset of patients to assess the mechanisms of recurrence.


METHODS
From 1975 to July 2003, 610 septal myectomies were performed; 13 of these were repeat myectomies after classic myectomies performed at our institution (n = 6) or elsewhere (n = 7). Ages ranged from 4 to 70 years (mean, 32 +/- 22). The interval between initial myectomy and repeat myectomy ranged from 13 months to 11 years (mean, 5.0 +/- 3.7 years).


RESULTS
Mechanisms for obstruction included limited myectomy at the initial myectomy (n = 11), septal hypertrophy at the midventricular level (n = 8), and anomalous papillary muscles (n = 3). Mean intraoperative pressure gradients decreased from 82 +/- 24 to 6.2 +/- 4.4 mm Hg. No mitral valve replacement was performed, and there were no early deaths. Mean follow-up was 5.8 +/- 5.8 years. There was one late death. All surviving patients were free from recurrence of outflow tract obstruction and were in the New York Heart Association functional class I or II.


CONCLUSIONS
Mechanisms for recurrent obstruction included limited myectomy at the initial operation, midventricular obstruction, anomalies of papillary muscles, and ventricular remodeling, especially in pediatric patients. Repeat myectomy can be performed with excellent outcomes. Need for reoperation may be reduced with current surgical approaches that include a more extended resection of the midventricular septum, relief of papillary muscle anomalies, and routine use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography.
Minakata
Kenji
K
Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Dearani
Joseph A
JA
Schaff
Hartzell V
HV
O'Leary
Patrick W
PW
Ommen
Steve R
SR
Danielson
Gordon K
GK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000503:physiopathology; D010210:Papillary Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D012008:Recurrence; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014694:Ventricular Outflow Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*