Heart Failure

Septal Myectomy.

Expert second opinions for septal myectomy. Dual-physician Heart Team review with triple risk scoring. Results in 24 hours.

Applicable to obstructive HCM patients
Prevalence
<1% at expert centers, 3-5% at low-volume
Key Outcome
ACC/AHA recommend >50/year center volume
Procedures
Quick Answer

Septal Myectomy (Morrow procedure) is the surgical treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. If you are facing a decision about septal myectomy, an independent Heart Team second opinion can confirm whether surgery is the right choice and identify alternatives. WhiteGloveMD delivers dual-physician review with STS, EuroSCORE II, and AATS risk scoring in 24 hours. Get an independent second opinion →

Overview

Understanding septal myectomy.

Septal myectomy (Morrow procedure) is the surgical treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) with left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction. The operation removes a portion of the thickened interventricular septum, relieving the obstruction. At experienced centers, the procedure has mortality under 1% with >90% success in gradient reduction.

Why It Matters

Why you need a second opinion.

Septal myectomy outcomes are extraordinarily surgeon- and center-dependent. Guidelines recommend the procedure be performed at centers with >50 myectomies per year, yet most are performed at low-volume centers with significantly worse outcomes. A second opinion from an HCM center of excellence can be the difference between an excellent result and a complication.

Critical Decisions

Key decisions for septal myectomy.

Myectomy vs alcohol septal ablation
Center and surgeon selection (volume matters enormously)
Concurrent mitral valve repair
Extent of septal resection
ICD implantation for sudden death prevention
Risk Factors

What affects your risk.

Surgeon and center myectomy volume
Concurrent mitral valve abnormalities
Degree and distribution of hypertrophy
Previous alcohol septal ablation
Conduction disease risk
Our Review

What our Heart Team provides.

Dual-physician review (cardiac surgeon + cardiologist)
Triple risk scoring (STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, AATS)
ACC/AHA guideline mapping with evidence grades
Treatment alternatives with risk-benefit comparison
Surgeon and institution matching via Sentinel
Personalized question guide for your next appointment
Complete provenance trail for every conclusion
Results delivered within 24 hours
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Do I need surgery for septal myectomy?

Surgery for septal myectomy depends on symptom severity, imaging findings, and risk profile. Guidelines from the AHA/ACC define specific thresholds, but many patients fall into gray zones where a second opinion meaningfully changes the recommendation. Septal myectomy outcomes are extraordinarily surgeon- and center-dependent. Guidelines recommend the procedure be performed at centers with >50 myectomies per year, yet most are performed at low-volume centers with significantly worse outcomes. A second opinion from an HCM center of excellence can be the difference between an excellent result and a complication.

What are the risks of septal myectomy surgery?

Operative mortality for septal myectomy-related cardiac surgery is calculated using validated models including STS PROM, EuroSCORE II, and AATS. Individual risk depends on age, comorbidities, frailty, ejection fraction, and surgeon/center volume. Our free calculator at whiteglovemd.com/tools/risk-calculator estimates your specific risk across all three models in real time.

Should I get a second opinion before septal myectomy surgery?

Yes. Studies show that 30-40% of expert cardiac surgery second opinions change the original treatment plan — sometimes by recommending less-invasive alternatives, sometimes by clarifying that watchful waiting is safer. WhiteGloveMD pairs a cardiac surgeon and cardiologist with our Clintelligence multi-agent AI pipeline to deliver an independent review in 24 hours, starting at $500.

What is the best treatment for septal myectomy?

The optimal treatment for septal myectomy depends on anatomy, comorbidities, age, and personal goals. Myectomy vs alcohol septal ablation. A Heart Team review evaluates every viable option — including transcatheter approaches, repair vs replacement, and surgeon/center matching — rather than defaulting to a single recommendation.

Clinical References
  1. Heidenreich PA, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, et al. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure. Circulation. 2022;145(18):e895-e1032.
  2. Mehra MR, Uriel N, Naka Y, et al. A Fully Magnetically Levitated Left Ventricular Assist Device — Final Report (MOMENTUM 3). N Engl J Med. 2019;380(17):1618-1627.
  3. O'Brien SM, Feng L, He X, et al. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2018 Adult Cardiac Surgery Risk Models. Ann Thorac Surg. 2018;105(5):1411-1418.
  4. Nashef SAM, Roques F, Sharples LD, et al. EuroSCORE II. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2012;41(4):734-745.

Reading on septal myectomy

See all articles →
Patient Education
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Management: A Long-Term Guide for Patients and Families

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy doesn't end with a diagnosis. This guide covers HCM treatment options, lifestyle modifications, ongoing monitoring, and when to seek a second opinion — written by a cardiac imaging specialist who sees this condition every day.

Kunal U. Gurav, MD · May 5, 2026
Diagnostics
What Cardiac MRI Reveals About Cardiomyopathy and Structural Heart Disease: A Cardiologist's Perspective

Cardiac MRI is the most detailed imaging tool available for evaluating cardiomyopathy and structural heart disease. Learn what CMR imaging reveals, why it matters for treatment decisions, and how to make sure your results are interpreted correctly.

Sandeep M. Patel, MD · May 18, 2026
Risk Assessment
EuroSCORE II Explained: What This European Cardiac Surgery Risk Score Means for Your Heart Surgery Decision

EuroSCORE II is one of the most widely used risk calculators in cardiac surgery worldwide. Learn what the European cardiac surgery risk score actually measures, how it compares to the STS risk model, and why understanding your score matters before you consent to an operation.

Serrie Lico, MD · May 24, 2026
Diagnostics
Cardiac Stress Test Results: What Your Exercise Echo or Nuclear Stress Test Actually Means

A world-class imaging cardiologist explains how to read and understand your cardiac stress test results — whether you had an exercise stress echo, nuclear stress test, or pharmacologic study. Learn what abnormal findings really mean for your heart and what comes next.

Kunal U. Gurav, MD · May 23, 2026

Related conditions.

Heart Failure
Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device)
Heart Transplant Evaluation
Atrial Septal Defect (Adult)

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