Image-Based Simulative Training for Myectomy in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: An Emerging Necessity

Surgical myectomy was initially advocated only for patients with symptoms refractory to maximal tolerated medical therapy. These were mainly symptoms of cardiac failure. In recent times, there has been a call for revision of guidelines to include patients earlier. As the disease progression cannot be reversed by most currently used drugs which become ineffective with time, this need for earlier myectomy seems mandatory. Presently, surgical expertise in myectomy is limited to specialized centers. The complexity of surgical myectomy is enhanced by the complex and variable anatomic substrate. With the need for earlier myectomy, a vast population of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy will need surgery, predicating a requirement for more skilled cardiac surgeons. Mentoring programs in specialized centers may not be the solution, as is training surgeons using image-guided simulation techniques. Here, we discuss the existing simulative techniques and novel image-based preoperative planning techniques which may help guide myectomy.