What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Case Report. Population: obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) (n=1). Intervention: Percutaneous Helical Ablation of Septal hypErtrophy (open-irrigated helical radiofrequency catheter). Primary outcome: provoked left ventricular outflow tract gradient.

What does this research mean for the field?

Percutaneous helical radiofrequency septal ablation using a dedicated open-irrigated catheter safely reduces left ventricular outflow tract gradients and improves symptoms in drug-refractory obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.ESTABLISHES_NEW_DIRECTION.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the effectiveness of open-irrigated helical radiofrequency ablation in patients with drug-refractory obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

June 4, 2026Open Access

Open-Irrigated Helical Radiofrequency Septal Ablation for Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Key Result

Percutaneous helical radiofrequency septal ablation decreased the provoked left ventricular outflow tract gradient from 130 to 30 mm Hg in a patient with drug-refractory oHCM.

Key Points

To evaluate the effectiveness of open-irrigated helical radiofrequency ablation in patients with drug-refractory obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Case report of one patient with drug-refractory obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Used open-irrigated helical radiofrequency catheter via subclavian venous access
Evaluated changes in left ventricular outflow tract gradient and septal fibrosis at 6 and 12 months.
Left ventricular outflow tract gradient decreased from 130 to 30 mm Hg immediately after ablation
Sustained improvement in symptoms and hemodynamics was noted at 12 months
Cardiac magnetic resonance showed septal fibrosis at 6 months with no complications reported.

Study Design

Type

Case Report (n=1)

Structured PICO

Does percutaneous helical ablation of septal hypertrophy using an open-irrigated helical radiofrequency catheter improve LVOT gradient and symptoms in a patient with drug-refractory oHCM?

Population

A 60-year-old man with drug-refractory obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, followed for 12 months.

Intervention

Percutaneous Helical Ablation of Septal hypErtrophy using a novel, dedicated, open-irrigated helical radiofrequency catheter via subclavian venous access

Outcome

Provoked left ventricular outflow tract gradientsurrogate

This first clinical use case report demonstrates the feasibility and potential efficacy of a novel open-irrigated helical radiofrequency catheter for septal ablation in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Septal reduction therapy is recommended for symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) refractory to guideline-directed medical therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 60-year-old man with drug-refractory oHCM underwent Percutaneous Helical Ablation of Septal hypErtrophy, using a novel, dedicated, open-irrigated helical radiofrequency catheter via subclavian venous access. The provoked left ventricular outflow tract gradient decreased immediately after ablation from 130 to 30 mm Hg, with sustained improvement at 12 months, septal fibrosis on 6-month cardiac magnetic resonance, symptomatic improvement, and no procedural or follow-up complications. DISCUSSION: This case report describes the first clinical use of a novel intervention strategy in oHCM. The hemodynamic benefit might be related to reduced septal contractility and a modest decrease in septal thickness. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: This case demonstrates an ablation procedure using a dedicated open-irrigated helical radiofrequency catheter through subclavian venous access in oHCM.