The prevalence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is approximately 0.2 % whereby the obstructive form accounts for one quarter. The basic treatment involves administration of negatively inotro- pic drugs (beta-blockers and/or verapamil), which reduce the intraventricular pressure gradient and have a positive impact on the symptomatology. In patients refractory or intolerant to medica- mentous treatment surgical or catheterization is used. Percutaneous transluminal septal myocar- dial ablation reduces significantly the symptomatology of dyspnoea and stenocardia, increases load tolerance and improves the left ventricular diastolic function. In none of the mentioned therapeutic aproaches so far a favourable effect on the prognosis of patients with a risk profile associated with hypertrophic obstructivel cardiomyopathy was proved.

        Key words: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - Obstruction - Betalockers - Verapamil - Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation