Ask your provider what you should do to get ready for the procedure. Your provider may tell you to stop certain medications before the ASA. You’ll need to avoid eating and drinking prior to the procedure.
To evaluate your health before the procedure, your provider may order a complete blood count (CBC). To see your heart muscle in detail, they may also recommend:
You get this procedure in a hospital. It usually takes an hour or two. You’ll be awake during the procedure. But your healthcare team will give you medications to help you relax and make you more comfortable. You may also get other medications like blood thinners. During an alcohol septal ablation, your provider:
After the procedure, you’ll stay in the hospital for 48 to 72 hours. Your healthcare team will check your health and vital signs. They will give you pain relievers if you need them. They may also do imaging studies and other tests to see how blood is flowing out of your heart.
Immediately after the procedure, you’ll lie flat on your back with your legs straight if your providers used the artery at your thigh. Staying in this position helps you avoid bleeding immediately after the procedure. You may need to stay in this position for a few hours. If they accessed the vessel at your wrist, you won’t usually need to lay flat.
Advertisement
During your hospital stay, one of the most important things is to continuously monitor your heart rhythm. A small percentage of people will require a pacemaker as a side effect of the ASA.
This procedure relieves symptoms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy without the need for open-heart surgery. Since it’s minimally invasive, it involves less recovery time and fewer complications than a septal myectomy. It’s a good option for people who can’t get open-heart surgery.
For most people, alcohol septal ablation is an effective treatment. Complications aren’t common. But as with any procedure, there are risks. These include:
Though uncommon, some of these complications may require follow-up tests or treatment. People who get heart block after an ASA may need a permanent pacemaker. Talk to your provider about your risk of complications.
Advertisement
Everyone’s recovery time is different. Your recovery time depends on your overall health, including whether you have cardiovascular disease or other health conditions. Ask your provider when you can return to light activity, work and exercise. Most people are able to return to usual activity within one week of the procedure.
Many people get relief from their symptoms right away after the procedure. Talk to your provider about what you can expect.
After this procedure, call your provider right away if you have:
Alcohol septal ablation is an effective treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This non-surgical procedure involves less recovery time and fewer complications than surgical treatments for this heart condition. Talk to your provider about what you need to do to prepare for this procedure and what you can expect during recovery. If you have any signs of complications following the procedure, get medical help right away.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic offers personalized diagnosis and the latest treatments for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Last reviewed on 02/23/2022.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.