Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Cox-Maze IV Procedure Concomitant with Valvular Surgery In Situs Inversus Dextrocardia: A Single-Center Experience in China
Published on: February 11, 2022
Left Ventricular Midcavitary Obstruction Caused by Abnormal Papillary Muscles: Diagnosis and Surgical Management of
Mohamed M Elgayar1, Asmaa R Abd El Naby2,3, Amr Alsalakawy4
1Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Aswan Heart Centre, Magdi Yacoub Foundation, Aswan, Egypt.
Insights
Rare left ventricular papillary muscle abnormalities can cause significant obstruction in children. Surgical intervention effectively relieved obstruction in two pediatric cases, highlighting the importance of considering these anomalies in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Abnormalities of the left ventricular papillary muscles are uncommon but can lead to serious clinical issues.
- These anomalies can cause obstruction of blood flow within the left ventricle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report two pediatric cases of left ventricular papillary muscle abnormalities causing obstruction.
- To describe the surgical management and outcomes for these rare conditions.
Main Methods:
- Case report of two pediatric patients with thickened, fused papillary muscles.
- Surgical intervention including septal myectomy, muscle splitting, and adhesion resection.
Main Results:
- Papillary muscle abnormalities led to left ventricle inflow and midcavitary outflow obstruction.
- Surgical management successfully relieved the obstruction in both cases.
Conclusions:
- Left ventricular papillary muscle abnormalities are an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of pediatric midcavitary obstruction.
- Prompt surgical intervention can effectively manage these rare but significant cardiac conditions.
Abstract:
Abnormalities of the left ventricular papillary muscles, albeit rare, can be clinically significant. We report two pediatric cases with thickened, fused papillary muscles obstructing left ventricle inflow with abnormal attachments to the ventricular septum leading to midcavitary outflow obstruction. Surgical management, consisting of septal myectomy, splitting of hypertrophied muscles, and resection of fibrous adhesions, successfully relieved obstruction. These cases underscore the importance of considering papillary muscle abnormalities in the differential diagnosis of midcavitary obstruction.
Related Concept Videos
Mitral Valve Prolapse II: Assessment and Management
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Mitral Stenosis III: Medical Management
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

