Nonsurgical procedures for heart patients

Deborah Heart and Lung Center prides itself on providing patients with minimally invasive alternatives to surgery. Patients suffering from hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), a thickened wall in the heart's left ventricle that often interferes with the mitral valve and blood flow from the heart, now have a nonsurgical procedure option.

Thanks to Deborah's cath lab physicians, patients suffering from HOCM can undergo an alcohol septal ablation to thin the thickened heart muscle. A small amount of ethanol is injected directly to the site through a balloon catheter that has been inserted in the groin and threaded to the heart, effectively relieving uncomfortable symptoms.

"This is a great benefit to patients with HOCM," says Deborah Cardiac Interventionalist Jon George, M.D. "Before this technique was available, patients had to undergo surgical muscle resection, have a pacemaker implanted or have their symptoms controlled with medications. This treatment strategy provides a new minimally invasive option."

Michael Gettis, one of the first patients at Deborah to undergo alcohol septal ablation, agrees, "I'm amazed at how well I feel now."

Investigate your options! Visit www.deborah.org and click on "Medical Services" to learn more.