Robot-assisted septal myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with left ventricular outflow tract obstruction

Genomic insights into heart health: Exploring the genetic basis of cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are considered as the leading cause of death worldwide. CVD continues to be a major cause of death and morbidity despite significant improvements in its detection and treatment. Therefore, it is strategically important to be able to precisely characterize an individual's sensitivity to certain illnesses. The discovery of genes linked to cardiovascular illnesses has benefited from linkage analysis and genome-wide association research. The last 20 years have seen significant advancements in the field of molecular genetics, particularly with the development of new tools like genome-wide association studies. In this article we explore the profound impact of genetic variations on disease development, prognosis, and therapeutic responses. And the significance of genetics in cardiovascular risk assessment and the ever-evolving realm of genetic testing, offering insights into the potential for personalized medicine in this domain. Embracing the future of cardiovascular care, the article explores the implications of pharmacogenomics for tailored treatments, the promise of emerging technologies in cardiovascular genetics and therapies, including the transformative influence of nanotechnology. Furthermore, it delves into the exciting frontiers of gene editing, such as CRISPR/Cas9, as a novel approach to combat cardiovascular diseases. And also explore the potential of stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine, providing a holistic view of the dynamic landscape of cardiovascular genomics and its transformative potential for the field of cardiovascular medicine.

Management of the mitral valve in thoracoscopic trans-mitral myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Objective

This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of different mitral valve (MV) management methods in thoracoscopic transmitral myectomy (TTM) and guide surgeons' decision making for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Methods

Seventy-three consecutive patients (41 females; mean age, 53.7 ± 13.6 years) with HOCM who underwent TTM between January 2019 and October 2022 were enrolled and divided into 3 groups according to MV surgical strategy. Clinical outcomes were analyzed and compared among the groups.

Results

None of the patients experienced postoperative residual left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Percentages of patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) grade ≥3+ (57.5% vs 1.4%) and systolic anterior motion (95.9% vs 2.7%) were significantly decreased postoperatively (P < .001 for both). The preoperative anterior mitral leaflet length was longer in patients in the anterior mitral leaflet direct reattachment group (median, 2.9 cm [interquartile range (IQR), 2.7-3.3 cm] vs 2.7 [IQR, 2.4-2.9 cm]; P = .018), but the postoperative coaptation length was shorter (mean, 8.3 ± 2.1 mm vs 11.1 ± 3.8 mm; P = .038). After a median echocardiography follow-up of 11.8 months, the left ventricular outflow tract gradient (LVOTG) and mitral regurgitation grades remained significantly improved in all 3 groups (P < .05 for all).

Conclusions

Total TTM in selected patients is safe and effective, and all 3 MV management strategies can significantly reduce the LVOTG while improving MR. Mitral valvuloplasty is the preferred initial management strategy over valve replacement except in the scenario of irreparable intrinsic MV disease and valvuloplasty failure.

Does a standard myectomy exist for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy? From the Morrow variations to precision surgery

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this work is to revisit the history of surgical treatment for obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) over the last 60 years, in the light of advancing knowledge of the pathophysiology of obstruction.

METHODS

In this narrative review the contribution of the different surgical approaches to the field will be assessed in our personal experience in Florence.

RESULTS

Septal myectomy is the treatment of choice in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical treatment. Over the decades, numerous "theme variations" of the Morrow operation have been proposed, each of them targeting a specific pathophysiological determinant of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

Precision surgery in oHCM patients today depends on the ability of the surgeon to combine and master these variations, with the bird's eye view allowed by climbing on the shoulders of giants.

Enlargement of left ventricular outflow tract using an autologous pericardial patch for anterior mitral valve leaflet and septal myectomy through trans-mitral approach for the treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

Modified Morrow procedure is the gold standard of surgical intervention for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). However, there are certain cases without complete relief of obstruction through trans-aortic approach, we, therefore, described an unusual technique. We aimed to retrospectively analyze this series of patients to reveal its safety and efficiency.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a total of 247 consecutive HOCM patients in our center from January 2016 to December 2019. Sixteen of them who underwent enlargement of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) using an autologous pericardial patch for anterior mitral valve leaflet and septal myectomy through trans-mitral approach were recruited in this study. Baseline characteristics, perioperative data, and the outcomes were studied.

RESULTS

Of the 16 patients, there was no operative mortality. No permanent pacemaker implantation and ventricular septal defects formation were observed. The peak pressure gradient of LVOT decreased from 97.56 ± 23.81 mmHg to 7.56 ± 2.13 mmHg (p < .01) after operation and 10.19 ± 2.93 mmHg (p < .01) 3 months later. The average septal thickness decreased from 18.38 ± 3.56 mm to 10.00 ± 2.74 mm (p < .01). During a mean follow-up of 34.25 ± 12.85 months (range, 15-57), no patient required cardiac reoperation. At the last follow up, the mean peak pressure gradient of LVOT was 10.12 ± 2.03 mmHg and no patient had more than moderate mitral regurgitation.

CONCLUSION

Enlargement of LVOT using an autologous pericardial patch for anterior mitral valve leaflet and septal myectomy through trans-mitral approach is feasible and reliable for the treatment of certain types of HOCM cases.

"Do alternative approaches work in surgical septal myectomy?"

Trans-aortic septal myectomy is the gold standard for septal reduction therapy. This technique has low peri-procedural mortality and excellent long-term survival. Moreover, it relieves the heart failure symptoms and improves the quality of life. Secondary chordal cutting along with septal myectomy has shown to improve the outcome but can potentially cause deterioration of left ventricular function. In patients with relatively thin inter-ventricular septum, abnormalities of mitral valve apparatus may be the main reason for systolic anterior motion and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. These patients may require additional procedures on the mitral valve to shift the coaptation plane away from outflow tract. Mitral valve replacement should be performed only in patients with intrinsic mitral valve abnormalities that are not suitable for repair and its routine use along with limited septal myectomy should be discouraged. Minimal access surgery although attractive in concept requires more robust data before universal application.

Robotic Septal Myectomy Without Anterior Leaflet Incision during Mitral Valve Repair

Bulging subaortic septum in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a potential risk factor for systolic anterior motion after mitral valve repair. Systolic anterior motion may cause postoperative mitral regurgitation and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction despite conservative management. During "minimally invasive endoscopic" and "robotic" mitral repair procedures, systolic anterior motion is prevented with concomitant septal myectomy through the mitral valve orifice. Technically, the exposure of the bulging subaortic septum is traditionally done with detachment of the anterior mitral leaflet from its annulus, leaving a 2-mm rim of leaflet attached to the annulus. The leaflet is then sutured after myectomy. As an alternative technique in robotic surgery, the exposure of the subaortic septum is feasible without anterior leaflet incision with the use of dynamic atrial retractor in mitral repair procedures. Here, we present a patient who underwent concomitant robotic mitral valve repair with posterior chordal implantation, ring annuloplasty, and septal myectomy without anterior leaflet incision using the da Vinci surgical system.

Minimally Invasive Versus Full-Sternotomy Septal Myectomy for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

Septal myectomy remains the criterion standard for the treatment of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy refractory to medical therapy. There have been few reports of minimally invasive approaches. This study compared a minimally invasive septal myectomy performed at our institution with the traditional full-sternotomy approach.

METHODS

Patients receiving a stand-alone septal myectomy were retrospectively reviewed from November 1999 to December 2016 (N = 120). Patients were stratified by surgical approach: traditional full sternotomy (n = 34) and ministernotomy (n = 86). Preoperative and perioperative variables were compared as well as follow-up symptomatic and echocardiographic outcomes.

RESULTS

Both groups had a significant decrease in New York Heart Association class heart failure symptoms (P < 0.001). At a mean ± SD follow-up time of 2.0 ± 3.4 years, postoperative New York Heart Association class distribution was similar between ministernotomy and full sternotomy (P = 0.684). Follow-up resting left ventricular outflow tract gradient was also similar between ministernotomy and full sternotomy (11 mm Hg ± 15 vs 9 mm Hg ± 13, P = 0.381). Perioperatively, ministernotomy was not significantly different from full sternotomy in median cardiopulmonary bypass time (81 minutes vs 78 minutes, P = 0.101) but had a slightly longer median cross-clamp time (39 minutes vs 35 minutes, P = 0.017). Major complications were similar in the two groups. There was one 30-day mortality in the full-sternotomy group, but no in-hospital deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Septal myectomy performed using a minimally invasive approach has similar outcomes to the criterion standard operation done through a full sternotomy. It represents a feasible option for patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy unresponsive to medications.

Nanotechnology, an alternative with promising prospects and advantages for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the most important causes of mortality and affecting the health status of patients. At the same time, CVDs cause a huge health and economic burden to the whole world. Although a variety of therapeutic drugs and measures have been produced to delay the progress of the disease and improve the quality of life of patients, most of the traditional therapeutic strategies can only cure the symptoms and cannot repair or regenerate the damaged ischemic myocardium. In addition, they may bring some unpleasant side effects. Therefore, it is vital to find and explore new technologies and drugs to solve the shortcomings of conventional treatments. Nanotechnology is a new way of using and manipulating the matter at the molecular scale, whose functional organization is measured in nanometers. Because nanoscale phenomena play an important role in cell signal transduction, enzyme action and cell cycle, nanotechnology is closely related to medical research. The application of nanotechnology in the field of medicine provides an alternative and novel direction for the treatment of CVDs, and shows excellent performance in the field of targeted drug therapy and the development of biomaterials. This review will briefly introduce the latest applications of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of common CVDs.

Minimally Invasive Septal Myectomy for Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy

Surgical septal myectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy refractory to medications. This report describes our minimally invasive approach for performing a septal myectomy via a ministernotomy that has been used at our institution for more than a decade. In particular, patient preparation, surgical technique, and clinical considerations are highlighted. Performed properly, this minimally invasive technique is a feasible and effective approach in our experience.

Surgical treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a historical perspective

Our understanding of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) as a disease entity has increased dramatically over the last half century. There has been a concerted effort by several surgical groups to develop operative techniques to relieve left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction and alleviate symptoms. This paper traces the development of transaortic septal myectomy, the current gold standard therapy for relief of LVOT obstruction, in symptomatic patients refractory to medical treatment. In addition, we introduce newer methods for myectomy that have expanded the role of surgery in patients with various forms of HCM.

Update on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and a guide to the guidelines

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common inherited cardiovascular disorder, affecting 1 in 500 individuals worldwide. Existing epidemiological studies might have underestimated the prevalence of HCM, however, owing to limited inclusion of individuals with early, incomplete phenotypic expression. Clinical manifestations of HCM include diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, ischaemia, atrial fibrillation, abnormal vascular responses and, in 5% of patients, progression to a 'burnt-out' phase characterized by systolic impairment. Disease-related mortality is most often attributable to sudden cardiac death, heart failure, and embolic stroke. The majority of individuals with HCM, however, have normal or near-normal life expectancy, owing in part to contemporary management strategies including family screening, risk stratification, thromboembolic prophylaxis, and implantation of cardioverter-defibrillators. The clinical guidelines for HCM issued by the ACC Foundation/AHA and the ESC facilitate evaluation and management of the disease. In this Review, we aim to assist clinicians in navigating the guidelines by highlighting important updates, current gaps in knowledge, differences in the recommendations, and challenges in implementing them, including aids and pitfalls in clinical and pathological evaluation. We also discuss the advances in genetics, imaging, and molecular research that will underpin future developments in diagnosis and therapy for HCM.

Minimally Invasive Trans-Mitral Septal Myectomy to Treat Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy

A 43-year-old man with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) was admitted to our hospital with aggravated exertional dyspnea and successfully treated with robotic transmitral septal myectomy. Minimally invasive transmitral septal myectomy may be a feasible surgical option for the treatment of HOCM in selected cases as an alternative to transaortic myectomy.