Tag: center of excellence

Septal Reduction – Not a One Size Fits All

Published on by hcmbeatLeave a comment

A recent article published in the European Journal of Cardiology Heart Failure compares septal myectomy to septal alcohol ablation. The paper goes through specific factors which make one procedure or the other more appropriate: individual anatomy and age being two .of the most important.

The article emphasizes that proper patient selection for either procedure is key.  Further, it emphasizes the necessity of having both procedures done at at high volume center in order to increase the odds of a successful procedure.

Seniors Do Well After Myectomy

Published on by hcmbeat2 Comments

A recent study of Medicare patients conducted by doctors at the Cleveland Clinic found that senior citizens who underwent septal myectomy had better long term survival and did not need repeat procedures compared to those who underwent septal alcohol ablation.

And, despite the overwhelming evidence that septal reduction procedures performed at high volume centers have superior outcomes, 70% of septal reduction procedures are still being performed at low volume centers.

We need to spread the word that the success of septal reduction procedures is highly dependent on the experience and volume of the center!

One Size Does NOT Fit All: Treatments Differ by Stage in HCM

Published on by hcmbeat2 Comments

There are distinct stages of HCM and treatments will vary according to the stage. Therefore, it is important, according to a recent article in the Netherlands Heart Journal, for patients to seek treatment from teams experienced in the the treatment of HCM.  These professionals are able to recognize transitions in the course of the disease as they occur, and then implement necessary changes in treatment.

In this thorough overview of HCM and its treatment, Dr. Iacopo Olivotto and his colleagues in the Netherlands observe that HCM is seen infrequently by community cardiologists (as compared to more common heart conditions like coronary artery disease). Hence, one of the major difficulties in HCM practice has been identification of patients at highest risk.

Continue reading “One Size Does NOT Fit All: Treatments Differ by Stage in HCM” →

Guest Blogger – The View from a HCM Center – by Dr. Steve Ommen of Mayo Clinic’s HCM Center

Published on by hcmbeat2 Comments

Good stories usually have a protagonist who is confronted with a challenge or conflict.  The story then follows the protagonist’s journey to overcome that challenge.  Often, there are one or more attempts at conflict resolution which prove unsuccessful, or that even make things worse before the path to success is revealed. In the end, the best stories are those where that successful path was right in front of the protagonist the entire time.

The Challenge for HCM Patients: Local Cardiologist vs. Center of Excellence

For a good story related to the world of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, you need look no further than Jill Celeste’s HCMBeat blog post entitled “Myectomy:  A Twice in a Lifetime Experience.” The protagonist in this story is obviously Jill.  The conflict is the impact of her HCM symptoms on her quality of life.  Her journey included unsuccessful forays into different therapies before finally, Jill arrived at the resolution of her conflict by seeking care at a medical center with dedicated expertise in the treatment of HCM.

In the sake of full disclosure, that center happens to be Mayo Clinic where I work.  Jill’s great storytelling reminded me how some really clever books and movies tell the same story from a different point of view. In this blog post, I would like to give you my point of view as a physician who directs a HCM specialty center of the best way that you can navigate your own HCM.  I will share how care by a “center of excellence” can fit into the bigger picture of your HCM care and give you some suggestions for ways to balance so you can work well with both your local care team as well as a specialty center that may be a long way from your home. Continue reading “Guest Blogger – The View from a HCM Center – by Dr. Steve Ommen of Mayo Clinic’s HCM Center” →

Guest Blogger – Surgical Myectomy: A Twice in a Lifetime Experience – By Jill Celeste

Published on by hcmbeat3 Comments

I have had the joy of being a Registered Nurse for over 40 years. I was born wanting to be a nurse and started bandaging teddy bears at the age of three. By the age of 5, I was creating “medicines” by spinning blades of grass mixed with clover flowers in the front wheel well of an upside down tricycle.

As I got older, I moved on to be a Candy Striper and a Nurse’s Aide, and then I went on to get my degree as a RN, a BSN, and MSN and became a teacher, administrator, and researcher. All of this cannot REALLY prepare you for; “Being on the other side of the bed” which is what happens when a health care professional who is used to caring for patients becomes a patient themselves. Continue reading “Guest Blogger – Surgical Myectomy: A Twice in a Lifetime Experience – By Jill Celeste” →