Abstract
Enlargement of left ventricular outflow tract using an autologous
pericardial patch for the anterior mitral valve leaflet and septal
myectomy through trans-mitral approach for the hypertrophic obstructive
cardiomyopathy Zhang et al (1) describe their experience in septal
myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Of 247 consecutive
cases with HOCM treated during 2016-2019 with a variety of techniques,
this report is on 16 patients who underwent trans-mitral septal myectomy
and enlargement of left ventricular outflow with an autologous
pericardial patch in transverse configuration. The technique reportedly
decreased the gradient from average 90+ to 10+ mm Hg and resolved
systolic anterior leaflet motion in all with only mild residual mitral
regurgitation. There were no deaths or any other major complications in
this group. It is a small group of patients with excellent result but no
definitive conclusion can be drawn regarding validity of the technique
from this study. The controversy remains regarding the approach,
trans-aortic vs. trans-mitral and whether leaflets should be left alone,
plicated or lengthened as well as whether mitral valve should be
repaired or replaced in addition to septal myectomy. One certainty
remains, extended myectomy done either way, is the foundation of the
surgical treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.