The papillary muscles are small muscles inside the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). They help blood flow from the upper chambers of the heart (atria) to the ventricles.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM) means the ventricles are thicker than normal.
Outflow tract obstruction means there is less than normal or no blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta (the large artery that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body). Both HOCM and papillary muscles that don’t work properly (because they are not in the right position or are not stable) can cause outflow tract obstruction.
If you have outflow tract obstruction with minimal/mild hypertrophy, your doctor may suggest treatment with a procedure called papillary muscle repair. This treatment was developed by Cleveland Clinic surgeons. Stitches (sutures) are placed in the muscles, forcing them to stay in a normal position.
If you are a candidate for this procedure, your doctor will talk to you about the details, including what to expect and the benefits and risks of this treatment.
