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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Isolation and Functional Characterization of Human Ventricular Cardiomyocytes from Fresh Surgical Samples
Published on: April 21, 2014
[Septal myectomy for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: the gold standard]
Joseph A Dearani1, Hartzell V Schaff, Steve R Ommen
1Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Minnesota 55905, USA. dearani.joseph@mayo.edu
Insights
Septal myectomy is a highly effective treatment for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), significantly improving cardiac symptoms and quality of life. This surgical procedure offers excellent long-term outcomes and improved survival rates for patients with HCM.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Cardiology
- Genetics
Context:
- Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) presents significant challenges in symptom management and long-term prognosis.
- Current treatment strategies aim to alleviate left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and associated cardiac symptoms.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of septal myectomy in adults and children with obstructive HCM.
- To assess the management of concomitant mitral valve abnormalities during septal myectomy.
Summary:
- Septal myectomy effectively relieves LVOT obstruction and cardiac symptoms in obstructive HCM patients.
- Mitral valve repair is feasible in most cases, with replacement rarely needed.
- Early mortality is low (~1%) in experienced centers, with excellent and improving long-term results.
Impact:
- Symptomatic improvement is observed in the majority of patients, with 90% improving at least one functional class.
- Late survivorship is enhanced compared to nonoperated obstructive HCM patients.
- Septal myectomy provides a gold standard for comparison with emerging nonsurgical treatments like septal alcohol ablation.
Abstract:
Septal myectomy effectively and definitively relieves LVOT obstruction and cardiac symptoms in adults and children with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Abnormalities of the mitral valve can be addressed without the need for mitral valve replacement in almost all circumstances. Concomitant mitral valve repair for myxomatous disease requires minor modifications when performed in conjunction with septal myectomy; mitral valve replacement is rarely necessary. In experienced centers, early mortality for isolated septal myectomy is low (approximately 1%) and overall results are excellent and continue to improve in the current era. Symptomatic improvement with myectomy is expected for most; 90% of patients improve by at least one functional class, and most remain improved on late follow-up. Late survivorship is improved compared to nonoperated patients with obstructive HCM, and myectomy may be associated with reduced risk of sudden cardiac death. These results should serve as the gold standard and a basis for comparison with newer nonsurgical modalities, i. e., septal alcohol ablation.
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