A septal myomectomy is a type of open-heart surgery used to treat severe hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). HOCM may be inherited and result in sudden death in young adults. People with HOCM have an abnormal growth of muscle fibers in their heart that results in a thickened and stiffened septum (the muscular wall separating the right and left ventricles). This enlarged area interferes with blood that is being pumped by the left ventricle and may reduce the heart’s ability to fill with blood. HOCM may produce symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting and/or chest pain. In very severe cases, patients are also at increased risk of cardiac arrest.

A septal myomectomy is designed to remove part of the enlarged septum, thus relieving the obstruction and improving blood flow and reducing the risk of potentially fatal consequences from HOCM. Because this is an open-heart surgery, patients will need to remain in the hospital for one to two weeks while recovering, and will need additional recovery time after returning home. In some cases, the physician may also replace a faulty mitral valve at the same time the surgery is conducted.

HOCM can also be treated by other techniques, depending on its level of severity. Physicians may choose to treat HOCM with medications only, with surgery or with an implantable defibrillator. HOCM also may be treated with a newer procedure called septal alcohol ablation, which involves destroying excess septal muscle with ethanol alcohol. Surgery and septal alcohol ablation are usually recommended for patients who have severe symptoms despite drug treatment.