Septal myectomy

Need to know

• What happens during a septal myectomy?  icon plus

  A septal myectomy is usually carried out as an open heart procedure under general anaesthetic. Your consultant will make a cut in your chest and open your sternum to access your heart.
  
  A small amount of the thickened septal wall, which separates the right and left ventricles of the heart, will be removed. If necessary, your consultant might repair the mitral valve at the same time.
  
  This eliminates the obstruction and the mitral valve regurgitation, when blood leaks the wrong way into the heart, that occurs with this condition.

• How to prepare for a septal myectomy  icon plus

  As with any procedure of this nature, there are potential risks and side effects involved with a septal myectomy, which your consultant will explain beforehand. They'll also advise you on how long you should avoid eating and drinking beforehand, because you'll be having a general anaesthetic.

• After your procedure  icon plus

  As a septal myectomy is a major operation, you'll need to spend one or two days in intensive care before returning to the ward. Usually the total length of the stay in hospital is six or seven days. Your consultant will talk you through what you need to do in the short term, as well as the longer term. This includes advice on when you can return to your usual routine, including work and exercise.