What is Septal myectomy?

Septal myectomy is a cardiac surgery treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The open-heart surgery entails removing a portion of the septum that is obstructing the flow of blood from the left ventricle to the aorta. Septal myectomies have been successfully performed since the 1960s. The most common alternatives to septal myectomies are treatment with medication or non-surgical thinning of tissue with alcohol ablation. Ordinarily, septal myectomies are performed only after attempts at treatment with medication fail. The choice between septal myectomy and alcohol ablation is a complex medical decision.