Septal myectomy, papillary muscle resection, and mitral valve replacement for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: a case report

We report a case of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) successfully treated with septal myectomy and mitral valve replacement (MVR) combined with a resection of the hypertrophic papillary muscles. The patient, a 74-year-old woman, first underwent the conventional septal myectomy through aortotomy. The papillary muscles revealed a marked hypertrophy, but extended myectomy and precise resection of the hypertrophic papillary muscles were thought to be difficult through the aortotomy. Through the right-sided left atriotomy, MVR and resection of the papillary muscles were additionally performed. The patient was smoothly weaned from the cardiopulmonary bypass, and the postoperative course was uneventful. The outflow pressure gradient was relieved to 0 mm Hg, from 94. The mean pulmonary artery pressure was reduced to 27 mm Hg, from 42. The patient has been doing well in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class between I and II during 45 months of follow-up, without complications related to the use of a prosthetic valve. Septal myectomy is the procedure of choice in the surgical treatment of HOCM for most cases, but some may require additional mitral valve procedures. In patients with marked hypertrophic papillary muscles, MVR and resection of the muscles may be an option of treatment to ensure a relief of the outflow obstruction and to abolish systolic anterior movement in units with limited experience.     

Mitral valve replacement for heart failure due to hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy; report of a case

Myotomy or myectomy are well known as the standard treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), and mitral valve replacement (MVR) is reported to achieve the equivalent therapeutic effect. And recently, combined treatment with artificial chordae replacement and MVR has been reported to improve the prognosis. We herein describe a case of a patient with HOCM who developed acute exacerbation of heart failure. The patient was 74-year-old woman, who had been followed by chronic atrial fibrillation (Af) and HOCM for 3 years. The findings at echocardiography included septal hypertrophy, systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve, severe stenosis of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), and severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR). Calcification of mitral valve was also found. After the medical management, the patient was treated successfully by MVR using a mechanical valve combined with artificial chordae replacement. Maze procedure was also performed for chronic Af. The postoperative course was uneventful. MVR combined with artificial chordae replacement could be one of the useful strategies for HOCM associated with severe MR and organic changes of mitral valve.     

Robotic trans-mitral septal myectomy and papillary muscle reorientation for HOCM combined with or without mitral valve repair: Technical aspects – How we do it

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is one of the more common genetic disorders. The pathophysiology and natural history of the disease have been well studied. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) and systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the anterior mitral leaflet can result in sudden cardiac death, progressive heart failure and arrythmias. Surgical septal myectomy for HOCM is the standard of care and is routinely performed through a median sternotomy. Septal myectomy has also been performed using the trans-atrial, trans-mitral approach either directly or with robotic assistance. In cases with severe LVOT obstruction in the setting of only mild to moderate proximal septal hypertrophy, intrinsic problems with the mitral valve contribute. Typically, these are hypermobile papillary muscles and or excessive height of the anterior mitral leaflet. Combining septal myectomy with reorientation of hypermobile anteriorly positioned papillary muscles has shown to prevent SAM and thereby additionally decrease the subvalvular aortic outflow obstruction. Our extensive experience in both septal myectomy and robotic mitral valve repair has given us a different perspective in approaching the primary mitral regurgitation in HOCM patients where a combined septal myectomy, papillary muscle reorientation and complex mitral valve repair has been safely performed using the less invasive robotic-assisted approach.Our objective here is to discuss the technical aspects of the procedure.     

Extended septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with anomalous mitral papillary muscles or chordae

OBJECTIVES: Transaortic left ventricular septal myectomy yields excellent results for most severely symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. However, associated anomalies of the mitral subvalvular apparatus may prevent complete relief of obstruction, and mitral valve replacement has been advocated. We reviewed our results of procedures designed to relieve obstruction with preservation of the mitral valve. METHODS: Among 291 patients undergoing septal myectomy from 1975 to 2002, 56 (ages 2-77 years) had anomalous mitral subvalvular apparatus including anomalous chordae (n = 28) and papillary muscles with direct insertion into mitral leaflets (n = 13) or fusion to septum (n = 31) or free wall (n = 12); 82% of patients were in New York Heart Association class III or IV. Operation included resection of anomalous chordae (28 patients), relief of papillary muscle fusion (36 patients), and extended septal myectomy, wider at the apex than the base. RESULTS: There were no early deaths and no patients required mitral valve replacement. Mean peak pressure gradients decreased from 70 +/- 28 to 4.9 +/- 8.4 mm Hg and mean mitral regurgitation grade decreased from 2.3 to 1.0 (P <.001). Mean follow-up was 2.8 +/- 2.6 years. Freedom from reoperation at 4 years was 95%. There were 3 late noncardiac deaths; 98% of patients were in New York Heart Association class I or II. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy associated with anomalous mitral papillary muscles or chordae can be successfully treated without mitral valve replacement by surgical relief of the anomalies and an extended septal myectomy; early mortality is low, obstruction and mitral regurgitation are significantly reduced, and late results are excellent.     

Surgical Management for Systolic Anterior Motion (SAM) of the Mitral Valve in Obstructive Hypertrophic Myopathy

In patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction can be created by the hypertrophic interventricular septum (IVS) as well as systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the anterior mitral leaflet (AML). Sufficient septal myectomy is a fundamental surgical technique to treat LVOT obstruction, however, direct surgical management for SAM is another key aspect. Besides the hypertrophic IVS, mitral valve, subvalvular apparatus, and papillary muscle may play important role for SAM and several surgical techniques have been proposed to treat SAM in literature. In this review, each surgical technique is classified by the anatomical structure on which the surgical procedure is applied. The AML is the main surgical site and is applied with plication (vertical plication, resection–plication–release strategy), extension (the AML extension, transverse incision of the AML), sutured (edge-to-edge repair, anterior leaflet retention plasty), or traction (floating stitch, papillary muscle-to-anterior annulus stitches, paradoxical stitches, transposition of a directed chorda tendinea to the AML). Height reduction of the posterior mitral valve leaflet and papillary muscle reorientation are other techniques. We should understand theoretical aspects of each technique on correction of anatomical and functional abnormalities of the structure and should apply them under proper indication.     

Long term follow-up of surgical treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM): the role of concomitant cardiac procedures.

BACKGROUND: In patients who underwent transaortic myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), we evaluated the role of concomitant procedures for short and long term outcome. METHODS: From 1985 to 2000, in 125 patients a myectomy according to Morrow was performed. A total of 75 patients (group I) had isolated HOCM: 37 females, 38 males, mean age 52.1 years (14-79). The 50 patients of group II - 22 females, 28 males, mean age 62.4 years (36-77)-had concomitant procedures: coronary artery bypass grafting (36), mitral valve repair (15), DeVega-plasty (1), ventricular septal infarction-closure (1). Follow-up data of a total of 680.9 years (mean 5.4) were analyzed. RESULTS: Postoperatively, left ventricular outflow tract gradients at rest and after ventricular premature beats were significantly reduced (P<0.001). Mean performance of survivors (112/125=89.6%) improved significantly (P<0.001). Perioperative complication rates: 10.7/12.0% (groups I/II), early lethality: 1.3/2.0%. Survival rates after 5/10 years were 93+/-3/87+/-6 and 80+/-7/80+/-7% for groups I and II, respectively. CONCLUSION: Long term results after surgical treatment of HOCM are convincing also if concomitant procedures are performed.     

Combined anterior mitral valve leaflet retention plasty and septal myectomy in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Objectives: Septal myectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) with significant left-ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. In some HOCM patients, however, systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the anterior mitral leaflet significantly contributes to LVOT obstruction, resulting in mitral regurgitation and insufficient release of the obstruction after myectomy. We, therefore, developed a strategy of combined myectomy and anterior leaflet retention plasty (ALRP), and investigated its results in adult HOCM patients with manifest SAM. Methods: Subaortic septal myectomy and ALRP were performed in 25 adult HOCM patients with significant SAM, as assessed by echocardiography (mean age = 48.5 ± 15 years). All patients received cardiac catheterization and echocardiography evaluation prior to the operation, before discharge, and at follow-up. Follow-up ranged between 0.8 and 14 years (median = 2.5 years). Results: All patients survived the operation, and the Kaplan–Meier estimated survival was 100% at 1 year and 82 ± 6% at 5 years. Freedom from re-operation at 5 years was 83 ± 8%. The mean LVOT pressure gradient decreased from 84 ± 32 to 19 ± 11 mmHg postoperatively (p < 0.001), and only two patients had mild residual or recurrent SAM at follow-up. Mitral regurgitation and New York Heart Association classification were also markedly improved at follow-up. Conclusions: Combined subaortic septal myectomy and ALRP is a safe and effective therapy in HOCM patients with significant SAM. ALRP can help prevent residual or recurrent LVOT obstruction and improves mitral regurgitation.     

Mitral valve repair and septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Combined mitral valve repair using the sliding leaflet technique and septal myectomy were employed to successfully treat left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and mitral regurgitation due to hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). A 46-year-old man was diagnosed with HOCM along with congestive heart failure and was treated medically. These symptoms, however, were resistant to medical treatments with a beta-blocker, a Ca-antagonist, and disopyramide, and he was referred to our hospital for surgery. Doppler echocardiography demonstrated an LVOT obstruction at rest with a peak pressure gradient of 138 mmHg. The interventricular septum thickness was 14 mm. Mitral regurgitation of 3+ with severe SAM was also observed. Temporary dual chamber pacing was tried without significant improvement. Following these examinations, the patient underwent surgery. A transaortic septal myotomy-myectomy was performed first, and the mitral valve was then approached through the left atrium. Mitral valve repair was performed with the sliding leaflet technique to reduce the height of the posterior leaflet from 2 cm to 1 cm. Postpump transesophageal echocardiography revealed no MR and a peak LVOT gradient of 15 mmHg. The patient recovered well except for a residual mild SAM, and MR2+. We therefore concluded that this surgical approach might provide results which are superior to those of myectomy alone.     

Two cases of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) treated with mitral valve replacement]

The first patient was a 60-year-old female who had suffered from several episodes of cardiac failure due to severe mitral regurgitation and HOCM. The patient underwent urgent MVR because she had cardiac tamponade due to left ventricular perforation during cardiac catheterization. The second patient was a 64-year-old female with a history of several cardiac failures. The patient had an operation because she had been symptomatic under medical treatments. She underwent MVR instead of myectomy due to relatively thin ventricular septum. Both of them are doing well after the operations in NYHA class I. Although myotomy and myectomy are preferable procedure for HOCM as a first choice, MVR should be considered for the patients who have severe mitral valve regurgitation or the thin interventricular septum.     

Minimally invasive trans-mitral septal myectomy for diffuse-type hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Objective

Despite excellent long-term results reported for a trans-aortic septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), surgery for patients with diffuse hypertrophy is very challenging. In addition, a left ventricular outflow obstruction is often aggravated by an abnormal mitral valve and subvalvular apparatus.

Methods

We performed video-assisted minimally invasive trans-mitral septal myectomy procedures in 3 patients with diffuse-type HOCM, who were highly symptomatic despite maximal medical therapy. Each had at least moderate mitral regurgitation (MR) due to systolic anterior motion (SAM). Using a right mini-thoracotomy, the anterior mitral leaflet was detached, through which an extended septal myectomy could easily be performed. Abnormal bridging chordae between the septum and papillary muscle (PM) were divided, then anterior mitral leaflet continuity was restored with direct closure or augmentation using a glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium. A PM reorientation procedure was performed in 1 case in which both PMs were approximated and sutured onto the posterior ventricular wall.

Results

The postoperative course was uneventful in all patients, with marked improvement of symptoms in each. The peak ventricular outflow gradient decreased from 134?±?40 to 23?±?5 mmHg with significantly diminished SAM, especially in the patient who underwent the PM reorientation procedure. During a mean follow-up period of 42?±?14 months, no MR has been detected in any case.

Conclusions

We believe that a minimally invasive trans-mitral septal myectomy is preferable for HOCM-patients with diffuse hypertrophy and mitral valve abnormality. Aggressive PM reorientation may also be useful for those with an abnormal PM orientation.

     

Septal myectomy and myotomy attenuate left ventricular hyper-contractility in a child with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Septal hyper-contractility is thought to be the principal cause of significant left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOT) and systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve by making the distance between the mitral valve and papillary muscle shorter. A seven-year-old patient with severe hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy underwent direct interventricular septal myectomy/myotomy using the resection/crush method to modify hyper-contractility. The procedure successfully reduced the pressure gradient from 180 mmHg to 7.6 mmHg, and systolic anterior movement of the mitral leaflet disappeared. Mitral regurgitation improved from grade 2 to grade 0. Postoperative echocardiographic vector velocity imaging (VVI) study revealed a reduced twist angle, depicting attenuated ventricular contraction power from a maximum twist 17.9° to 7.9°. Perioperative VVI revealed that interventricular septal myectomy/myotomy is useful, not only in reducing LVOT obstruction, but also in reducing hyper-contractility, which increases the distance from the mitral valve to the papillary muscle and relieves SAM.     

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: comparison of outcomes after myectomy or alcohol ablation adjusted by propensity score

OBJECTIVE: In November 1998, our center began offering alcohol ablation as an alternative to surgical myectomy for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Patients with concomitant lesions were referred for surgical intervention, and the others were offered either treatment option. We sought to review the early outcomes for both protocols. METHODS: One hundred fifty patients had intervention for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy to June 30, 2003. Sixty patients elected to have alcohol ablation, and 5 crossed over to surgical intervention. A total of 95 patients had a myectomy. Patients having an isolated myectomy (n = 48) are compared with those who had an ablation. Hospital records were reviewed, and follow-up contact (mean, 2.2 years) with the patient or referring cardiologist and recent echocardiographic reports were obtained. Differences in clinical and hemodynamic outcomes between achieved treatment groups were compared after adjustment for differing baseline patient characteristics, including use of a propensity score, to adjust for the non-randomization. RESULTS: The patients undergoing alcohol ablation (n = 60) were older (58 vs 48 years) and had fewer associated lesions (1 vs 39 patients), lower pressure gradients (67 vs 73 mm Hg), and similar symptomatic status and degrees of mitral regurgitation compared with those in the myectomy group. Alcohol ablation was abandoned in 6 patients, 5 of whom underwent myectomy. Among the completed alcohol ablations, there were 5 late deaths, and 1 other patient was referred for myectomy. One late death occurred after myectomy. At latest follow-up, 3-year survival is 97%, and 92% of the patients are in New York Heart Association class II or I. Adjusted comparisons showed significantly lower postintervention left ventricular outflow gradients at rest in the myectomy group (5 vs 15 mm Hg), with provocation (14 vs 42 mm Hg), mitral systolic anterior motion (67% vs 29%), and New York Heart Association class. No significant difference was present in postintervention septal thickness or freedom from postintervention pacing, although in time-related analysis, the 3-year freedom from pacing is 88% versus 59% (P = .02), favoring myectomy. CONCLUSION: Either alcohol ablation or myectomy offers substantial clinical improvement for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Hemodynamic resolution of the obstruction and its sequelae is more complete with myectomy. Residual lesions after alcohol ablation might affect longer-term outcomes.     

Chirurgische Therapie der hypertrophen obstruktiven Kardiomyopathie (HOCM)

Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy is a primary disease of the myocardium with a dynamic systolic narrowing of the left ventricular outflow tract cross-sectional area. In symptomatic patients and/or with significant left ventricular outflow tract gradient surgical therapy is indicated and leads to safe and lasting relief of the left ventricle. Myectomy is always performed transaortic, and with insertion of a sharp triple hook retractor the amount of tissue, which is to be resected, is clearly defined. Extended myectomy to the lateral wall and to the deeper parts of the ventricle allows for safe access to the left ventricle where mobilisation and partial resection of the papillary muscles corrects the anteposition of papillary muscles and abolish SAM and mitral regurgitation. Excellent long-term results with respect to complications or mortality give the surgical approach compared to alcoholic septal ablation still the status of a gold standard.     

Sustained improvement after combined anterior mitral valve leaflet retention plasty and septal myectomy in preventing systolic anterior motion in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy in children

Objective: Anatomic alterations of the mitral valve such as increased mitral leaflet area, length and laxity, and anterior displacement of the papillary muscles in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy predispose patients to residual systolic anterior motion and persistence of outflow obstruction and mitral regurgitation after septal myectomy. We investigate the long-term results of combined anterior mitral leaflet retention plasty and septal myectomy in children with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Methods and results: Anterior mitral leaflet retention plasty and subaortic septal myectomy were performed in 12 children (mean age 10.8 ± 1.7 years) with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Mean preoperative left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient was 49 ± 11 mmHg. After careful assessment of the mobility of the anterior leaflet and subvalvular apparatus, segments of the anterior leaflet nearest the trigones were sutured to the corresponding posterior annulus with polypropylene reinforced with untreated autologous pericardial pledgets. Intraoperative valve orifice measurement based on age-related valve diameter ensures that no mitral stenosis is produced. Mean intraoperative pre- and post-septal myectomy pressure gradient was 60 ± 25 mmHg and 5 ± 6 mmHg, respectively. Post-myectomy mitral insufficiency was reduced to a regurgitant fraction of 0–10%. Mean follow-up is 11.85 ± 1.22 years. Mean left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient was 6.2 ± 3.95 mmHg. No mortality, no repeat myectomy or repeat mitral valve repair or replacement, no mitral stenosis and no systolic anterior motion occurred. Conclusions: Long-term follow-up shows sustained absence of systolic anterior motion, attenuation of mitral regurgitation, sustained improvement in functional status, and reduction of outflow tract obstruction.     

Outcome of septal myectomy in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES: To study the outcome of septal myectomy in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. DESIGN: Septal myectomy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with obstruction of the left ventricular outflow tract (HOCM) is symptomatically effective, and complication rates have been found to be low in large centres performing the procedure routinely. Representing a small centre we studied the outcome after septal myectomy in 11 consecutive patients, aged 44 +/- 21 (mean +/- SD) years with HOCM myectomized at our institution from 1991 to 1998. The patients were evaluated preoperatively using echocardiography and left-sided heart catheterization. RESULTS: Eight patients were operated on after medical treatment had failed and three after sudden deterioration of cardiac function. A Morrow myectomy was performed in 10 patients and a modified Konno procedure in one. Significant reductions were observed in left ventricular outflow tract gradients (77 +/- 29 to 10 +/- 7 mmHg, p < 0.01; n = 11), the degree of mitral valve regurgitation (grades 0-3) (1.7 +/- 1.0 to 0.8 +/- 0.7, p < 0.01; n = 11), NYHA functional classification score (2.4 +/- 1.0 to 1.5 +/- 0.7, p < 0.01; n = 11) and all five patients with angina preoperatively had an improved CCS angina classification score. There were no operative or early postoperative (30 days) deaths. One patient operated on with the modified Konno procedure was reoperated for a septal patch suture leak. During follow-up (43 +/- 24 months, range 11-83), the linearized mortality rate was 3.6% per year. One patient died from a pancreas cancer, one probably from coronary artery disease and one suddenly of unknown cause. CCONCLUSION: We conclude that septal myectomy efficiently relieves symptoms in HOCM patients, possibly reflecting the direct as well as secondary effects of left ventricular outflow tract gradient reduction. The present results, obtained at a smaller centre for this procedure, should be considered when choosing from available therapeutic alternatives when medical therapy fails: dual chamber pacemaker implantation, percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation or myectomy.     

梗阻性肥厚型心肌病的外科治疗

目的 总结肥厚室间隔切除联合二尖瓣置换术治疗梗阻性肥厚型心肌病的手术效果和经验体会.方法 2000年1月至2007年6月,共对22例合并有中度以上二尖瓣反流的OHCM患者实施肥厚室间隔切除联合二尖瓣置换术.其中男性20例,女性2例;年龄28～51岁,平均(36±5)岁.左心室流出道压差55～120 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),平均(88.0±15.8)mm Hg.分析比较患者术前超声心动图,术中经食管心脏超声,以及术后10 d,6个月、1年超声心动图的结果 .结果 术后因顽固性室性心律失常死亡1例.术中经食管超声示所有患者二尖瓣前叶收缩期前向运动现象消失.存活的21例患者均获随访,术后各时间点左心室流出道压差和室间隔厚度均较术前下降(P<0.01).结论 肥厚室间隔切除联合二尖瓣置换术治疗合并中度以上二尖瓣反流的梗阻性肥厚型心肌病,近中期手术效果可靠,并发症少.     

Combined cox maze procedure, septal myectomy, and mitral valve replacement for severe hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy complicated by chronic atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been reported to be an important prognostic indicator for clinical deterioration particularly in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). A 66-year-old female complained of severe exertional dyspnea and tachycardia, which were resistant to medical treatments. Doppler echocardiography demonstrated a peak left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient of 117 mmHg at rest. A catheter examination revealed left ventricular end diastolic pressure of 34 mmHg, a cardiac index of 1.94 L/minute/m(2), and a peak LVOT gradient of 70 mmHg at rest. A transaortic septal myotomy/myectomy was performed first, and Cox maze III procedure was performed through the right and left atrium followed by mitral valve replacement. The patient recovered dramatically except for temporary complete atrioventricular block. One year after operation, the patient is doing well with sinus rhythm and the echocardiogram revealed a peak LVOT pressure gradient of 7.6 mmHg at rest. This surgical approach might be recommended for the treatment of AF in HOCM. (Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003; 9: 323-5)     

Mitral valve replacement and septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

A 76-year-old woman with a diagnosis of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy was referred to our hospital’s surgical department. Her echocardiogram revealed diffuse left ventricular hypertrophy, moderate mitral valve regurgitation with systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, and left ventricular obstruction with a peak outflow gradient of 108 mm Hg. We performed a transaortic rectangular septal myectomy with an incision at a width, depth, and length of 1 cm, 1 cm, and 3 cm, respectively. However, the transesophageal echocardiogram revealed residual left ventricular obstruction and systolic anterior motion, and we subsequently replaced the mitral valve with a mechanical valve. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and the peak outflow gradient decreased to 15 mm Hg. Although transaortic septal myectomy is the most common surgery currently used for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, mitral valve replacement should remain an option in patients with diffuse left ventricular hypertrophy who fail to improve after myectomy alone.     

Transaortic myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy--efficacy of intraoperative pressure measurement

The many aspects of postoperative course of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) have been apparent, while many studies concerning long-term follow up have been published in recent years. Many surgical approaches have been performed but recently transaortic subvalvular myectomy is most common. This study reviews 22 patients with HOCM operated on between 1984 and 1989. Transaortic approach was used for all adult patients. One patient had a complication with an iatrogenic VSD, which was closed by Dacron patch during the procedure. There was one hospital death; She is a 67 year-old woman who died due to an acute abdomen. All 14 patients followed up over 3 months had significant functional improvement. Our retrospective study suggests that myectomy in patient with HOCM seems to be not only palliative but curative operative method. Left atrial- and left ventricular dimension tended to normalize in the postoperative course. The intraoperative estimation of Brockenbrough phenomenon is effective to assess the release of left ventricular outflow obstruction.     

Anesthetic management of a patient with HOCM even after PTSMA

A 74-year-old woman previously treated with percutaneous transluminnal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) for severe hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. The PTSMA was performed for HOCM 5 month before surgery and the left ventricular outflow pressure gradient (LVOTG) was reduced from 100 mmHg to 30 mmHg. After anesthetic induction, severe hypotension occurred concomitantly with asymmetrical septal hypertrophy (ASH) and systolic anterior movement of the mitral valve leaflet (SAM). Hypotension was treated with fluid therapy and the vasopressors (methoxamine and noradrenaline). Care should be taken for the anesthetic management of a patient with HOCM even after PTSMA.