Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: Acute results and three-year noninvasive follow-up in 18 patients

OBJECTIVES: To study the acute results and long-term clinical course after percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) in symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). METHODS: In 18 patients (seven women, 11 men; average age 53+/-15 years) with symptomatic and medically refractory HOCM, 1.3+/-0.4 septal branches were occluded with an injection of 3.6+/-1.2 mL of 95% alcohol to ablate the hypertrophied interventricular septum. After three years, noninvasive follow-up results of clinical course, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings were determined. RESULTS: The invasively measured left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradients were reduced in all patients, with a mean decrease from 79+/-21 mmHg to 11+/-8 mmHg at rest (P<0.01) and from 136+/-41 mmHg to 49+/-21 mmHg after extrasystole. All patients had angina pectoris for 8 h to 24 h. Eleven patients (61.1%) developed a trifascicular block for 3 min to four days requiring temporary (n=10 [56%]) or permanent dual chamber pacemaker implantation (n=1 [6%]). All patients were discharged after 5.9+/-2.3 days. Clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic follow-up was achieved in all patients after three years (3.1+/-0.5 years). No cardiac complications occurred. Thirteen patients (72%) showed clinical improvement, with a New York Heart Association functional class of 1.5+/-0.8. A further reduction in LVOT gradient was shown in eight patients (44%). CONCLUSIONS: The LVOT gradient was greatly reduced in patients with HOCM undergoing a PTSMA procedure and their symptoms were greatly improved without cardiac complications during three-year follow-up. Possible complications include different degrees of heart block, such as trifascicular blocks, requiring temporary pacemaker implantation. PTSMA is a promising nonsurgical method for the treatment of symptomatic patients with HOCM. Clinical long-term follow-up of a larger series of patients is required to determine the therapeutic significance conclusively.     

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) is a new therapeutic option for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). In the present study, the acute and follow-up results of PTSMA were evaluated. From August 1997 to March 2003 27 medically refractory patients (New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class 2.9+/-0.6) with HOCM underwent PTSMA. The target septal branch was determined by probationary ballooning in 3 and by myocardial contrast echocardiography in 24 patients. The mean resting left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient (PG) was reduced from 70+/-44 to 24+/-22 mmHg (p<0.0001); the peak concentration of creatine kinase was 1545+/-686 IU/L. Although transient trifascicular block was observed in 14 patients, permanent pacemaker implantation was not required. There were no major adverse cardiac events during the hospital stay; the mean clinical follow-up was 2.2+/-1.7 years. Repeated PTSMA was needed in 1 patient; however, symptomatic improvement had been well preserved in all patients (NYHA class 1.2+/-0.4). Follow-up echocardiographic examination showed sustained improvement in PG, septal and left ventricular posterior wall thicknesses, and the grade of systolic anterior movement and regurgitation of the mitral valve. In conclusion, PTSMA is a safe and effective therapeutic option for medically refractory patients with HOCM.     

Outcome of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy after percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation and septal myectomy surgery

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate follow-up results in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) who underwent either percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) or septal myectomy. BACKGROUND: Controversy exists with regard to these two forms of treatment for patients with HOCM. METHODS: Of 51 patients with HOCM treated, 25 were treated by PTSMA and 26 patients via myectomy. Two-dimensional echocardiograms were performed before both procedures, immediately afterwards and at a three-month follow-up. The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class was obtained before the procedures and at follow-up. RESULTS: Interventricular septal thickness was significantly reduced at follow-up in both groups (2.3 +/- 0.4 cm vs. 1.9 +/- 0.4 cm for septal ablation and 2.4 +/- 0.6 cm vs. 1.7 +/- 0.2 cm for myectomy, both p < 0.001). Estimated by continuous-wave Doppler, the resting pressure gradient (PG) across the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) significantly decreased immediately after the procedures in both groups (64 +/- 39 mm Hg vs. 28 +/- 29 mm Hg for PTSMA, 62 +/- 43 mm Hg vs. 7 +/- 7 mm Hg for myectomy, both p < 0.0001). At three-month follow-up, the resting PG remained lower in the PTSMA and myectomy groups (24 +/- 19 mm Hg and 11 +/- 6 mm Hg, respectively, vs. those before procedures, both p < 0.0001). The NYHA functional class was also significantly improved in both groups (3.5 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.9 +/- 0.7 for PTSMA, 3.3 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.5 +/- 0.7 for myectomy, both p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Both myectomy and PTSMA reduce LVOT obstruction and significantly improve NYHA functional class in patients with HOCM. However, there are benefits and drawbacks for each therapeutic method that must be counterbalanced when deciding on treatment for LVOT obstruction.     

Effects of alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy on Doppler Tei index: a midterm follow-up

Alcohol septal ablation (PTSMA) improves outflow gradient, left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, and symptoms in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Tei index (TI) is a Doppler parameter reflecting both systolic and diastolic LV function. Midterm changes of TI after PTSMA have not been determined up to now. Twenty-seven consecutive patients (mean age 53 +/- 13 years) with symptomatic HOCM underwent PTSMA procedure. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected at baseline, 6 and 12 months after PTSMA. TI decreased from 0.67 +/- 0.11 to 0.55 +/- 0.06, isovolumic contractile time (ICT) decreased from 74 +/- 20 to 48 +/- 11 ms, isovolumic relaxation time decreased from 146 +/- 25 to 117 +/- 9 ms, and LV ejection time decreased from 330 +/- 42 to 298 +/- 13 ms. LV remodeling was determined by LV dimension increase from 46 +/- 6 to 48 +/- 6 mm and basal septum thickness reduction from 22 +/- 4 to 15 +/- 3 mm. LV ejection fraction decreased from 78 +/- 7 to 73 +/- 6% and maximal outflow gradient decreased from 69 +/- 44 to 15 +/- 11 mmHg. All changes were statistically significant (P <0.01). Symptomatic improvement was characterized by relief of dyspnea (2.5 +/- 0.7 versus 1.4 +/- 0.6 NYHA class; P <0.01) and angina pectoris (2.6 +/- 0.9 versus 0.7 +/- 0.7 CCS class; P <0.01). PTSMA is an effective method of therapy for HOCM. Shortening of TI suggests the improvement of LV myocardial performance in the midterm follow-up.     

经皮室间隔化学消融术治疗肥厚梗阻型心肌病

目的评价室间隔化学消融术治疗肥厚梗阻型心肌病在急性期的效果。方法对52例确诊肥厚梗阻型心肌病患者进行经皮室间隔化学消融术治疗,并于术前、术后急性期进行超声心动观察。结果41例患者介入治疗成功,成功率为78.8%。术前超声观察室间隔平均厚度(22.96±5.15)mm,左室流出道压力阶差(LVOTPG)(92.64±38.69)mm Hg(1mm Hg=0.133kPa),术后急性期(4.8±3.2)d,室间隔平均厚度(21.27±4.64)mm,较术前比变薄,P<0.05;LVOTPG(51.79±38.99)mm Hg,较术前明显降低,P<0.001。结论经皮室间隔化学消融术治疗肥厚梗阻型心肌病,在急性期可使室间隔平均厚度降低,收缩期左室流出道压力阶差显著下降。     

Intracardiac echocardiography guidance during percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) recently emerged as an alternative to myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) patients with drug‐refractory symptoms. The target septal branch selection is a main point to achieve the therapeutic result. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report about PTSMA performed using intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) to guide the procedure in 9 symptomatic HOCM patients. The target septal branch was chosen on the basis of the risk‐area visualized using ICE after injection of a contrast agent. During alcohol administration a backscattered signal enhancement of the infarcted area was detected. The procedures were uncomplicated and effective to reduce the gradient from 78.9±20.4?mmHg to 7.8±7.9?mmHg (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this initial experience ICE monitoring during PTSMA was safe and provided high quality and continuous imaging of the treated segment of the septum during the whole procedure.     

Catheter-based septal ablation for symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: follow-up results of the TASH-registry of the German Cardiac Society

INTRODUCTION: In late 1997, the German Cardiac Society set up a multicenter registry to evaluate the acute and mid-term course of all patients (pts.) treated with septal ablation for symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). An analysis of the acute results has already been published. We now report on the mid-term course (3-6 months) of 242 pts. registered through September 1999. RESULTS: Follow-up was 92% complete (n=222). During follow-up (mean: 4.9+/-2.3 months), an additional 3 pts. died (in-hospital mortality: 3 pts.). A satisfactory clinical effect was reported by 195 pts. (88%); 27 pts. (12%) remained in NYHA classes III and IV. Overall symptomatic improvement (NYHA class: from 2.8+/-0.7 to 1.7+/-0.7) paralleled the outflow gradient (LVOTG) reduction which was further accentuated as compared with the acute result (Doppler measurement at rest: from 57+/-31 to 25+/-25 mmHg to 20+/-21 mmHg; with provocation: from 107+/-53 to 49+/-40, to 44+/-40 mmHg, p<0.001, resp.). Left atrial (LA) diameter (from 46+/-8 to 44+/-7 mm) and septal thickness (from 20+/-5 to 15+/-5 mm; p<0.001, resp.) were also reduced. Comparing the methods for target vessel selection (i.e., with contrast echo monitoring vs pressurefluoroscopy guidance), at followup clinical improvement and hemodynamic measurements were comparable. CONCLUSION: Clinical success can be achieved by septal ablation, both with the echocontrast guided and gradient-fluoroscopy guided method, in 88% of highly symptomatic HOCM pts. At mid-term follow-up, symptoms, left atrial size and septal thickness are reduced, and outflow gradients are further improved as compared to the acute result.     

Early remodelling of left ventricle and improvement of myocardial performance in patients after percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) reduces left ventricular outflow (LVOT) gradient in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and leads to symptomatic improvement. Effects of PTSMA on left ventricular performance are currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the left ventricular performance using Doppler index of myocardial performance (sum of isovolumic contractile and relaxation times divided by left ventricular ejection time) and left ventricular remodelling after PTSMA for HOCM. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with symptomatic HOCM underwent echocardiography-guided PTSMA procedure. Clinical and echocardiographic data were collected at baseline and 3 months after PTSMA. RESULTS: PTSMA procedures were uneventful, in one patient (4%), pacemaker implantation was needed for sustained complete heart block after the procedure. At 3-month follow-up, the maximal LVOT gradient decreased from 68+/-39 to 18.6+/-12 mmHg (P<0.001), the provoked maximal LVOT gradient decreased from 128.8+/-59 to 25+/-21.4 mmHg (P<0.001), and basal septal thickness decreased from 21.7+/-4 to 15.2+/-3 mm (P<0.001). The improvement of the index of myocardial performance (from 0.65+/-7 to 0.56+/-11; P<0.001) was associated with neither significant change in left ventricular ejection fraction nor left ventricular ejection time. There was no significant difference in the left ventricular dimension at baseline and at follow-up. All patients reported a significant improvement in symptoms at follow-up, the mean NYHA class decreased from 2.6+/-0.7 to 1.4+/-0.7 (P<0.001), and the number of patients suffering from episodes of syncope or attacks of dizziness decreased from 13 to two during the 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: PTSMA is a safe, effective and reproducible method in the treatment of highly symptomatic patients with HOCM. This procedure results in a significant relief of symptoms associated with decrease in LVOT gradient and thickness of basal interventricular septum. Positive changes in Doppler IMP suggest possible improvement of left ventricular function.     

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: immediately and middle-term follow-up results]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immediate and follow-up results of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). METHODS: 15 patients with HOCM refractory to medication successfully underwent PTSMA under myocardial contrast echocardiography. RESULTS: The left ventricular outflow gradients (LVOTG) were reduced significantly (77.93 +/- 22.00) mm Hg to (14.8 +/- 15.0) mm Hg (P < 0.0001) immediately with a mean decrease of (5.75 +/- 2.87) mm Hg (P < 0.001) in left ventricular end diastolic pressure. The scores of SAM and mitral regurgition During a mean of 8.6 +/- 3.8(6-22) months follow-up, the patients heart function (NYHA) were greatly improved(3.4 +/- 0.5 vs 1.1 +/- 0.4, P < 0.001), and disappearance of angina pectoris, and exercise endurance improvement with steady hemodynamic improvement. CONCLUSION: PTSMA is effectively non-surgical treatment method for drug-refractory patients with HOCM.     

Alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: a systematic review of published studies

OBJECTIVE: Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) has emerged as a lesser invasive alternative to surgical myectomy over the past decade. The purpose of this study is to analyze all the published literature on outcomes and complications after ASA. METHODS: MEDLINE and PubMed were searched for all available published literature on ASA (June 1996-June 2005) using the terms hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, alcohol septal ablation for HOCM, alcohol septal ablation (ASA), transcoronary alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (TASH), transcoronary alcohol septal ablation for HOCM, nonsurgical septal reduction therapy (NSRT), and percutaneous transcoronary septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA). RESULTS: A total of 42 published studies (2,959 patients) were analyzed. Mean age was 53.5 (35.4-72) years with a mean male to female ratio of 1.17. Mean follow-up was 12.7 +/- 0.3 months (1.5-43.2). Absolute ethanol (3 mL) was injected in 1.2 septal perforator arteries. On average, serum CK peaked at 964 units. At 12 months, there was a sustained decrease in resting and provoked LVOT gradient (65.3-15.8 and 125.4-31.5 mmHg, respectively) accompanied by reduction in basal septal diameter (20.9-13.9 mm), improvement in NYHA Class (2.9-1.2), and increase in exercise capacity (325.3-437.5 seconds). Early mortality (within 30 days) was 1.5% (0.0-5.0%) and late mortality (beyond 30 days) was 0.5% (0.0-9.3%). Other complications include ventricular fibrillation (2.2%), LAD dissection (1.8%), complete heart block requiring permanent pacemaker (10.5%), and pericardial effusion (0.6%). A repeat ASA was performed on 6.6% of patients and 1.9% of patients underwent surgical myomectomy with resolution of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Literature to date suggests that ASA results in acute and intermediate-term favorable clinical and echocardiographic outcomes. A randomized controlled trial is needed to compare ASA and myomectomy in order to determine which technique provides maximal benefit.     

The biphasic course of changes of left ventricular outflow gradient after alcohol septal ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Alcohol septal ablation (PTSMA) decreases left ventricular outflow gradient (LVOG) and relieves symptoms in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). The time course of early changes of LVOG has not been clearly determined up to now. METHODS: Doppler echocardiography was used to determine the maximal LVOG. Thirty-nine consecutive patients (24 women; age 55+/-14) were examined at baseline, immediately after the procedure, and 3-5 days, 3 weeks and 3 months thereafter. RESULTS: The baseline LVOG decreased immediately after PTSMA from 73+/-49 mmHg to 13+/-16 mmHg (p<0.01). During the hospital stay (postprocedural period) LVOG increased from 13+/-16 to 37+/-35 mmHg (p<0.01). All the patients were discharged 5-10 days after the procedure. At three-week examination LVOG decreased from 37+/-35 to 25+/-12 mmHg (p<0.01). Three-month survival was 97%. One patient died suddenly one month after PTSMA. At three-month examination LVOG decreased from 25+/-12 to 17+/-14 mmHg (NS). All the patients reported an improvement in symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The immediate decrease of LVOG after PTSMA procedure caused by myocardial necrosis and stunning, was followed by a significant LVOG increase during the early postprocedural period and continuous LVOG decrease at the short-term follow-up.     

经皮腔内室间隔心肌消融术治疗梗阻性肥厚型心肌病57例

目的探讨经皮腔内室间隔心肌消融术治疗梗阻性肥厚型心肌病的方法和疗效。方法自1999年9月至2005年1月利用Sigwart法为57例梗阻性肥厚型心肌病患者行经皮腔内室间隔心肌消融术治疗。在压力监测、超声应用、消融操作、疗效判定以及术后处理等方面做了一些改进。结果每例患者消融共用无水乙醇0.6~9.0mL,分别消融1~5根前间隔支血管;57例患者导管测压示左心室流出道压差(静息和激发)均较术前下降>50%。发射计算机体层摄影对照4例中2例出现室间隔心肌放射性缺损。随访2周到5年,54例患者晕厥、头晕、心绞痛、心悸、气喘等症状消失或较术前改善;2例症状复发,心脏超声各项指标接近术前;1例术后半年内症状及心脏超声各项指标改善满意,一年半后死于扩张型心肌病。症状改善的54例中术后43例进行了半年、34例进行了1年的心脏超声随访,各项指标较术后2周时进一步改善。术中部分患者出现一过性短暂阵发性室性心动过速、房室传导阻滞。4例心电图呈前间隔心肌梗死改变,其中1例伴下壁心肌梗死改变。结论经皮腔内室间隔心肌消融术治疗梗阻性肥厚型心肌病疗效显著。本研究对该疗法应用进行了探索,促使经皮腔内室间隔心肌消融术更趋完善。     

经皮腔内冠状动脉室间隔化学消融术治疗梗阻性肥厚型心肌病的近期疗效观察

目的评价经皮腔内冠状动脉室间隔化学消融术治疗梗阻性肥厚型心肌病的近期疗效。方法选择梗阻性肥厚型心肌病患者29例,利用Sigwart法行经皮腔内冠状动脉室间隔化学消融术,99%无水酒精注入间隔支,并记录注入前后即刻左心室流出道压力阶差和心电图的变化。在消融术前及术后30天通过超声心动图测量室间隔厚度及左心室舒张末直径。结果间隔支内平均酒精注射量为2.97 mL;术后即刻左心室流出道压力阶差平均下降到36.0±9.3 mmHg;术后30天室间隔厚度降低3.2±0.3 mm;2例需要再次另外一支间隔支消蚀;3例患者术中出现一过性完全性房室传导阻滞;所有患者临床症状都有不同程度的缓解。结论经皮腔内冠状动脉室间隔化学消融术能显著降低左心室流出道压力阶差,治疗梗阻性肥厚型心肌病的近期疗效可靠,但应该严格控制适应症,以减少严重并发症发生。     

60例梗阻性肥厚型心肌病化学消融治疗近期及中期疗效观察

目的探讨经皮室间隔心肌消融术(PTSMA)治疗梗阻性肥厚型心肌病(HOCM)方法及疗效.方法回顾分析采用心脏超声声学造影(MCE)介导下行PTSMA治疗的60例HOCM患者术后近期及中期的随访资料.结果60例患者中54例术后左室流出道压差(静息和激发)较术前下降》50%,6例下降》30%但《50%,PTSMA成功率100%;术后随访2周～6年,平均2.5年,56例患者临床症状明显改善或消失,3例症状复发,1例术后1年死于扩张型心肌病并发心力衰竭.无一例需安装永久心脏起搏器.结论PTSMA治疗HOCM近期及中期疗效显著、安全.     

超声心动图在肥厚型梗阻性心肌病中的应用

目的评价超声心动图在肥厚型梗阻性心肌病(HOCM)患者经皮室间隔化学消融术(PTSMA)治疗中的应用价值.方法应用超声心动图筛选HOCM患者17例,介入治疗术中引导及监测PTSMA,术后随访.结果术后即刻导管测量左心室流出道(LVOT)压差较术前减低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).术后4周经胸超声心动图检查,LVOT压差、室间隔厚度和左心室射血分数均较术前明显减低,LVOT宽度均较术前明显增加,均差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.01).术前及术后超声心动图与导管测压所得参数具有良好的相关性(r=0.78;r=0.82,均P＜0.01).结论超声心动图技术可用于指导和监测HOCM患者的PTSMA治疗.     

Septal ethanol ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: early and intermediate results of a Canadian referral centre

BACKGROUND: Septal ethanol ablation (SEA) is a relatively new interventional nonsurgical treatment for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). This procedure involves targeted infarction of the basal interventricular septum to reduce left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience with this technique in a large tertiary care centre. METHODS AND RESULTS: Since 1998, 40 HOCM patients with disabling symptoms refractory to medical treatment have undergone SEA. Procedural success was 88% (35 of 40 patients). The LVOT gradient decreased from 86+/-38 mmHg to 16+/-16 mmHg. There were two major complications: one patient died of respiratory failure at 30 days following SEA, and one patient developed a major coronary dissection during the procedure and required emergency myectomy and coronary bypass surgery. There were two late failures (6% of initially successful cases). In both patients, the LVOT gradient and symptoms reappeared some months after the procedure and further interventions were required. In the remaining patients, the gradient continued to decrease to one year; 86% were asymptomatic or have mild symptoms compared with 94% with severe symptoms before SEA. Septal thickness decreased from 20.8+/-2.9 mm to 13.2+/-3.3 mm (P<0.001) at the site of the targeted septal infarct. CONCLUSION: SEA is a feasible option for suitable patients with HOCM.     

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in drug-resistant hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: 18-month follow-up results.

OBJECTIVE: Surgery has been the only therapeutic option in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) who are resistant to standard treatment. Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) by alcohol-induced occlusion of the septal artery for the reduction of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient is a novel method. However, long-term clinical follow-up is insufficient. This study reports the acute and mid-term results after PTSMA in symptomatic patients with HOCM. METHODS: Six patients (4 men and 2 women) with symptomatic HOCM and inadequate response to pharmacologic therapy had their major septal branches ablated with alcohol. Mean duration of follow-up was 1.5 years. RESULTS: There was reduction in LVOT gradient in all patients (100%) with a mean reduction of 50 mmHg. Two patients developed complete heart block (CHB) and 3 patients developed bifascicular block. CHB persisted in 1 patient. Two patients died within 8 days of the procedure; one due to cerebrovascular accident and 1 due to asystole. The patient who died of asystole had CHB but refused permanent pacemaker implantation. CHB reverted in 1 patient and bifascicular blocks persisted in 3 patients. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-up was achieved in the 4 surviving patients after 1.5 years. All surviving patients had LVOT gradient reduction and clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: PTSMA for HOCM is a non-surgical technique for reducing LVOT gradient. Heart blocks are one potential complication, and may require pacemaker implantation. Long-term follow-up and a larger series of patients are required to determine conclusive therapeutic significance.     

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy; The Chinese experience in 119 patients from a single center

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) has been introduced as an alternative treatment for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). We report on the acute, short- and long-term results of our experiences in 119 patients from a single center in China. METHODS AND RESULTS: PTSMA was performed in 119 patients with symptomatic HOCM (mean age 35.4+/-14.8 years, male 80, female 39). All patients had echocardiography performed prior to the procedure, 2-week post-PTSMA, and 6-month post-PTSMA, and 65 patients had echocardiography repeated at 2-year follow-up. The average left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient was 67.3+/-7.8 mm Hg before the procedure, and 15.9+/-6.8 mm Hg after the procedure (p<0.05). The thickness of interventricular septum (IVS) was 23.3+/-5.6 mm before the procedure, 18.6+/-4.8 mm 2-week post-PTSMA (p<0.05), and 16.8+/-3.4 mm 6-month post-PTSMA in all of the patients, and 15.6+/-3.1 mm 2-year post-PTSMA in 65 patients. The mean width of LVOT was 6.7+/-2.0 mm before the procedure, 8.2+/-3.4 mm 2-week post-PTSMA (p<0.05), 13.7+/-6.3 mm 6-month post-PTSMA and 15.1+/-2.4 mm 2-year post-PTSMA. The incidence of right bundle branch block development post-PTSMA was 52.9%, and three patients (2.5%) had complete heart block. There was no death. CONCLUSIONS: PTSMA is a promising non-surgical procedure for symptomatic patients with HOCM because of its low risk and its significant hemodynamic, echocardiographic and clinical improvement. The significant therapeutic remodeling period was up to 6 months rather than 2 years following the procedure.     

经皮室间隔心肌消融术治疗老年肥厚型梗阻性心肌病的临床分析

目的　探讨经皮室间隔心肌消融术治疗老年肥厚型梗阻性心肌病 (HOCM)的可行性 ,安全性和近期效果。方法　对 6 0岁以上的 6例老年HOCM患者施行心肌声学造影指导下的经皮室间隔心肌消融术治疗。结果　 6例患者的经皮室间隔心肌消融术均获成功 ,未出现严重的心脏并发症 ,术后即刻应用心导管测左室流出道压差由术前(10 4.33± 19.6 1)mmHg降至 (35± 2 5 .88)mmHg(P <0 .0 0 1)。术后对 6例患者进行了 1～ 18个月的随访 ,经超声心动图测左室流出道压差由术前 (91.83± 2 7.17)mmHg降至 (36 .0 8± 33.6 3)mmHg(P <0 .0 5 ) ,室间隔厚度由术前(2 1.83± 2 .79)mm降至 (16 .0 2± 3.86 )mm (P <0 .0 5 )。术后心功能由术前的 3.4± 0 .5级改善为 1.1± 0 .3级 (P <0 .0 0 1)。结论　经皮室间隔心肌消融术治疗老年HOCM患者的即刻和近期效果良好 ,并发症少 ,安全性高。     

A prospective follow-up of alcohol septal ablation for symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy--the Baylor experience (1996-2002)

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data on the long-term outcome of alcohol septal ablation (ASA) for symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). HYPOTHESIS: The study was undertaken to evaluate the longer-term outcome of ASA therapy for symptomatic HOCM. METHODS: In all, 137 patients were enrolled consecutively (1996-1999) and 130 (95%) (74 men, 56 women, aged 51 +/- 17 years) underwent ASA and had serial prospective follow-up for up to 5 years (mean follow-up 3.6 +/- 1.4 years). Evaluation included angina (Canadian Cardiovascular Society [CCS] score), dyspnea (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class), duration of exercise on treadmill, and echocardiographic indices. RESULTS: Ethanol (3.5 +/- 1.5 cc), injected into 1.5 +/- 0.6 arteries, induced a mean peak plasma creatine kinase (CK) of 1676 +/- 944 units. Complications of procedures included death 1.5% (2/130), heart block requiring permanent pacemaker 13% (17/130), and coronary dissection 4.4% (6/130). Baseline versus last follow-up visit: NYHA class decreased from 3.0 +/- 0.4 to 1.2 +/- 0.6 (p < 0.01); CCS angina score from 2.0 +/- 0.8 to 0.08 +/- 0.4 (p < 0.01); and duration of exercise increased from 322 +/- 207 to 443 +/- 200 s (p < 0.01). Resting left ventricular outflow tract gradient at baseline versus last follow-up visit showed a decrease from 74 +/- 30 to 4 +/- 13 (p < 0.01), and the dobutamine-provoked gradient of 88 +/- 29 decreased to 21 +/- 21 (p < 0.01) mmHg. All-cause mortality over the duration of follow-up was 7.7% (10) giving an annual rate of 2.1%, and cardiac mortality was 2.3% (3) reflecting an annual rate of 0.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol septal ablation decreased symptoms and improved exercise performance, indicating that it is an effective procedure for symptomatic HOCM.