Septal myectomy for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: coil, boil and the role of rescue surgery

Interventional treatment of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy has considerably developed and primary surgical approach is nowadays considered for a minority of patients with insufficient relief of obstruction following catheter intervention. We present the history of a patient who underwent alcohol ablation and developed a life-threatening ventricular septal defect consecutively to a large myocardial infarction because of alcohol injection into the LA

Porcelain aorta does not mean inoperability but needs special strategies

Porcelain aorta is not an absolute contraindication for aortic valve and/or coronary bypass grafting but it requires a special strategy and individualized approach to minimize the risk of embolic complications and technical problems during opening and/or closing the aortotomy. Keywords: Aortic valve replacement; Coronary bypass grafting; Hypothermic circulatory arrest; Porcelain aorta; Xeno-pericardial patc