Myotomy and Myectomy ("Open Heart Surgery")

This is an operation where the thickened heart wall is surgically removed. It is used when medications are no longer able to control symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

It is very effective in relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. In fact, it is likely that myectomy also extends life: in one published study, 95 percent of patients who had surgery were alive 10 years later, whereas only 73 percent with similar symptoms who did not have surgery were alive.

Although the procedure is technically challenging, Stanford surgeons were pioneers of this operation and have performed hundreds of procedures since 1972.

Am I a candidate for the myectomy procedure?

It is important to work closely with a cardiologist who is experienced in the care of people with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, to help determine if surgery is the best option for you. There are many medical therapies that often successfully manage the symptoms that people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have. However, if you continue to suffer from symptoms, and have tried all of the available medical therapies, surgical myectomy is an effective treatment option.