A decade of percutaneous septal ablation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Percutaneous septal ablation has emerged as a less invasive treatment of symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). In the past decade, the availability of this sophisticated technique has revived the interest of cardiologists in left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, which led to the recognition that most patients with HCM have the obstructive type. Follow-up studies have already shown the safety and efficacy of the procedure, which offers symptomatic relief in most patients. Long-term survival is comparable to historical reports after surgical myectomy. Complications are rare and can be further reduced with increased experience of the operators, and the theoretical concern for possible ventricular arrhythmogenicity of the myocardial scar has not been documented by the existing data. Although there are still no randomized trials, percutaneous septal ablation is undeniably a viable alternative for patients with HOCM.
2nd Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, Athen, Greece.
Angelos G
AG
Rigopoulos
Hubert
H
Seggewiss
D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods*; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D018579:Patient Selection; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000431:Ethanol