Optimal branch selection in alcohol septal ablation

Int J Cardiol. 2011 Feb 17;147(1):143-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.10.016. Epub 2009 Nov 11.

Abstract

Alcohol septal ablation is an emerging technique for the reduction of the subaortic gradient in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. The selection of the branch to be ablated is not always obvious, however, and the use of Myocardial Contrast Echocardiography assists in the proper localization of the perfusion area of each branch. We present a case of alcohol septal ablation in a 78-year old woman, in whom the choice of the optimal branch for septal ablation was performed after careful evaluation of the echocardiographic images, in accordance with the angiographic appearance. Alcohol septal ablation was performed without complications and resulted in reduction of the subaortic gradient and improvement of the patient's functional capacity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / diagnostic imaging*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / surgery*
  • Catheter Ablation / methods*
  • Echocardiography / methods
  • Ethanol*
  • Female
  • Heart Septum / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Septum / surgery*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Ethanol