Radiofrequency Ablation as a Treatment Modality for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Abstract

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one of the major causes of cardiac death that affects 1 in every 500 persons worldwide. Surgical myectomy and alcohol septal ablation have been the gold standard well established procedures for the treatment of this condition. Starting 2004 a new procedure, radiofrequency septal ablation, has been applied and showed significant improvement in the NYHA classification as well as the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradients of these patients. With overall less complications, as compared to the surgical myectomy and the alcohol septal ablation, this procedure could take the upper hand in the treatment during the next few decades.