Successful percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation through a right superior septal artery for a patient with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy through non-left anterior descending septal perforators

Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) has become a significant treatment for symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) despite maximal medical therapy. The target septal arteries usually arise from the left anterior descending artery (LAD). However, when septal perforators do not originate from the LAD, non-LAD septal perforators should be included as candidate-target septal branches that feed the hypertrophic septal myocardium, causing left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. Data pertaining to the procedure remain limited. We aimed to investigate PTSMA through the non-LAD septal perforators in patients with HOCM. In this case series review, we evaluated the baseline characteristics, echocardiographic features, and angiographic features, as well as symptoms and pressure gradient before and after PTSMA through the non-LAD septal perforators. Among 202 consecutive patients who underwent PTSMA for HOCM with LVOT obstruction, 21 had non-LAD septal branches that fed the hypertrophic septal myocardium and received alcohol ablation. Non-LAD septal perforators could be used as an alternative route for PTSMA in patients who experienced ineffective ablation of the septal branch that arises from the LAD. This unique procedure may improve response rates and overall outcomes of patients with HOCM.

Descending septal branch of right coronary artery: Rare, but important in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

A 54year old man with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was evaluated for alcohol septal ablation. However there were no sizeable septal branches from the left anterior descending artery supplying the basal septum. He was found to have a rare variant, the descending septal branch from ostial right coronary artery and underwent ablation through the same. We describe our case and the relevant literature available for use of this anatomical variant in alcohol septal ablation.