Background: This study aims to evaluate early- and late outcomes of alcohol septal ablation (ASS) in symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM).

Methods: Between January 2005 and November 2011, 15 patients (9 males, 6 females; mean age 53±14 years; range 23 to 81 years) who underwent ASS in our clinic due to medically refractory symptomatic HOCM were retrospectively analyzed. In all cases, septal artery was catheterized percutaneously through the left coronary artery and ethyl alcohol was injected to appropriate target site with contrast echocardiographic guidance.

Results: The mean preoperative functional class was 3.5±0.5, maximum left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradients were echocardiographically 104±25 mmHg, in catheterization 97±25 mmHg and basal interventricular septal thickness was 2.3±0.4 cm. Following the procedure, LVOT gradients echocardiographically decreased to 35±15 mmHg and in catheterization to 25±14 mmHg. A temporary Wenckebach episode in one case and acute atrial fibrillation in one case were observed. The mean time from ASS was 1196±675 days. At six months, the mean functional class of the patients was 1.2±0.6. One case underwent re-SAA due to recurrent complaints at three years. During the follow-up, one case died within a year following the procedure. At baseline, three cases had cardiac defibrillators and one case had a pacemaker, no case required new pacemaker during the follow-up period.

Conclusion: In appropriately selected patients with medically refractory and symptomatic HOCM, ASS can be applied with an acceptable success and reliability.

Keywords : Alcohol septal ablation; cardiomyopathy; hypertrophy