Experience, outcomes and impact of delayed indication for video-assisted wide septal myectomy in 69 consecutive patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy†

Abstract

Clinical, haemodynamic and mortality outcomes after surgery were excellent, especially in those patients with mild or few symptoms. However, in our location, surgery is still undertaken at an advanced stage of the natural history of the disease, which may adversely affect prognosis.

Videoscope‐assisted transaortic myectomy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with complex left ventricular anatomy

“…Hence, our method cannot be considered “true” videoscope‐assisted myectomy. However, in our experience, this surgical technique is easier, safer, 11 and does not pose an additional risk.…”

“…Heredia Cambra et al 11 reported a similar method of myectomy using a rigid videoscope in all myectomy cases. However, in our opinion, there are downsides to VATAM.…”

Make your life easier and safer: Statistics are not always able to prove it!

“…Their technique has been partially developed previously using a rigid videoscope. 2 The authors state that this surgical technique is easier and, based on the paper of Heredia Cambra et al, also safer. 2 Our experience as a cardiac surgery center using a minimally invasive approach for all patients, leads us to commend Park and colleagues for their intent to make a procedure easier for the surgeon and, consequently, safer for the patient.…”

“…2 The authors state that this surgical technique is easier and, based on the paper of Heredia Cambra et al, also safer. 2 Our experience as a cardiac surgery center using a minimally invasive approach for all patients, leads us to commend Park and colleagues for their intent to make a procedure easier for the surgeon and, consequently, safer for the patient. Unfortunately, what we surgeons sometimes "feel" in our hands in terms of simplicity and safety does not always translates into equivalent statistical inference.…”

“…Park et al 1 report their experience with the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with the aid of a flexible videoscope. Their technique has been partially developed previously using a rigid videoscope 2 . The authors state that this surgical technique is easier and, based on the paper of Heredia Cambra et al, also safer 2 …”