title: Resection-plication-release for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: clinical and echocardiographic follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abnormal positioning and size of the mitral valve contribute to the systolic anterior motion and mitral-septal contact that are important components of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The RPR repair (resection of the septum, plication of the anterior leaflet, and release of papillary muscle attachments) addresses all aspects of this complex pathology. This study reports outcomes regarding effectiveness of the RPR repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty consecutive unselected patients (average age, 55.8 years) undergoing RPR repair for obstructive HCM from 1997 to 2007 were studied. Each patient underwent preoperative and postoperative transthoracic echocardiograms to document gradient, ejection fraction, degree of mitral regurgitation, and systolic anterior motion. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiogram was used to guide all surgical repairs. Clinical follow-up included patient interviews to determine New York Heart Association (NYHA) status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concomitant operations were performed in 25 patients (50%). Postoperative mortality was 0%. Average mean left ventricular outflow tract gradients decreased from 134 +/- 40 to 2.8 +/- 8.0. Mitral regurgitation improved from a mean of 2.5 to 0.1 (p < 0.001). Average length of stay was 6.9 +/- 2.7 days. NYHA class improved from 3.0 +/- 0.6 to 1.2 +/- 0.5. Follow-up was 100%, with a mean of 2.5 +/- 1.8 years. Average mitral regurgitation at follow-up was 0.9, with no residual systolic anterior motion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RPR repair is safe and effective for symptomatic obstructive HCM. Our data support repair of the mitral valve that results in good intermediate outcomes with respect to gradient, mitral regurgitation, and clinical status.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10025, USA. sbalaram@chpnet.org
authors.forename: Sandhya K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Balaram
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tyrie
authors.forename: Mark V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sherrid
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Afthinos
authors.forename: Zak
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hillel
authors.forename: Glenda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Winson
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Swistel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome