Septal myectomy

Septal myectomy is a type of open-heart surgery to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition that causes the walls of the heart ventricles to thicken and stiffen over time, slowing blood flow through the body. A septal myectomy procedure reduces the thickness and overgrown areas of the wall (cardiac septum) separating the right and left ventricles of the heart. This separation widens the opening in the left ventricle through which blood flows out of the heart, delivering rapid symptom relief.

Depending on the severity of the condition, patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are typically given medication to improve their symptoms. If prescribed medication is not effective in treating your HCM condition, septal myectomy surgery may be recommended by your care team.

Eligible candidates for septal myectomy most often include those with severe thickening of the heart muscle to their left heart ventricles or those diagnosed with HCM of varying symptoms who wish to become pregnant.

Septal myectomy offers several advantages for those seeking treatment for HCM. Medication may not effectively treat the symptoms of HCM for some. Surgery offers a more durable solution to provide relief for people with severe symptoms, including:

• Chronic chest pain
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling
• Fainting
• Pounding in the chest

While the risks of myectomy are low, it is important to be aware of the complications that may arise with any open-heart procedure. These may include:

• Infection
• Heart rhythm disruptions, such as heart block and heart arrhythmia
• Excess fluid around your heart or lungs
• Bleeding or blood clotting

Many of the complications of this procedure are associated with certain risk factors, like smoking, increased age, and the existence of other heart problems.

For HCM patients who aren’t healthy enough to undergo open-heart surgery, your surgeon may recommend alcohol septal ablation. This less invasive procedure delivers benefits without the risk of surgery.

If HCM symptoms aren’t resolved with septal myectomy, Penn Medicine’s cardiac surgeons provide life-improving and lifesaving treatment options, including heart transplants. Our team delivers leading-edge care to thousands of people living with heart failure.

When you come to Penn Medicine for your septal myectomy procedure, your care comes from cardiac surgery specialists that are among the top in the nation. More patients choose Penn for our:

• National endorsements: We are accredited by the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association, earning the Center of Excellence distinction.
• Surgical volume: As a regional referral center for HCM, we treat a large number of patients each year. This extensive surgical experience translates to excellent outcomes for our patients.
• Dedicated program: Our Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases provides patients with exceptional care before and after septal myectomy.
• Genetic analysis: Our genetic counselors provide comprehensive genetic testing to family members of patients diagnosed with inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.