Mitral Leaflet Shortening as an Ancillary Procedure in Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

This study evaluates the impact of mitral leaflet shortening on outcomes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) among patients undergoing myectomy. It compared outcomes between patients who underwent myectomy alone and those who had a myectomy with additional mitral leaflet shortening from January 2010 to March 2020. Among 416 patients, 204 were female, with an average follow-up of 5.4 years. Survival rates were similar for both groups, with an eight-year survival rate of 95 percent. Echocardiographic results showed similar improvements in gradients, mitral regurgitation, and left atrial volume between the two groups. The study concludes that mitral leaflet shortening can be a suitable surgical option for certain patients, as it does not negatively impact survival or echocardiographic outcomes. Ultimately, the choice of procedure should be based on the operator's experience and judgement on what is best for the patient.