LVOT obstruction
Also written as: LVOT — left ventricular outflow tract
Blockage of blood flow through the left ventricular outflow tract, commonly seen in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Full Definition
Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction refers to impedance of blood flow from the left ventricle to the aorta, most frequently caused by septal hypertrophy and systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. Dynamic LVOT obstruction is characteristic of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and can be provoked by decreased preload, increased contractility, or decreased afterload. The degree of obstruction is quantified by peak instantaneous gradient measured by echocardiography or cardiac catheterization. Severe obstruction may require septal reduction therapy through surgical myectomy or alcohol septal ablation.
Usage
Usage note: Always specify whether obstruction is dynamic or fixed when clinically relevant.
In Context
- "Echocardiography revealed severe LVOT obstruction with a peak gradient of 85 mmHg." — Echocardiography report
- "The patient's symptoms worsened with exercise due to provocable LVOT obstruction." — Cardiology consultation