[Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation in patients with obstructive septal hypertrophic myocardiopathy. Acute results and 3-year follow-up].

OBJECTIVE: To report the acute and Long term results of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA), for the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). PTSMA has been considered as an alternative to surgical treatment in patients with HOCM and drug-refractory symptoms or unresponsive to the implantation of a pacemaker. Acute response is generally satisfactory, but long term results have not been sufficiently described.

METHODS: We did PTSMA in eight patients, with functional class III-IV of NYHA, and with a transaortic gradient at rest > or = 40 mmHg. ALcohol was administered to seven of them, and small absorbant gelatin sponge particles in the other. Acute and long term clinical and echocardiographical follow-up was done.

RESULTS: During the procedure the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient at rest was reduced significantly and the systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) also. Five remained on functional class I, and two in class II. One patient died one year later of sepsis unrelated to the cardiopathy.

CONCLUSIONS: PTSMA is an excellent non surgical option to reduce the LOVT gradient and the consequent symptoms in this patients. Long term follow-up shows they remain in a good functional class and their evolution is free of cardiovascular complications.