Partial left ventriculectomy (PLV) was recently introduced for end-stage di
lated cardiomyopathy to improve ventricular function. Since November 1996 w
e have performed PLV in 14 patients; preoperatively 4 patients had idiopath
ic dilated cardiomyopathy and 10 had ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. 57.1%
of patients were in New York Heart Association functional Class IV. The mi
tral valve was replaced in 11 patients. Postoperative echocardiography show
ed a reduction of left end-diastolic diameter (55.4 +/- 5.4 mm) and an incr
ease in forward ejection (cardiac index from 2.19 +/- 0.571 min/m(2) to 2.6
7 +/- 0.931/min/m(2)). The 30-day mortality was 28.6% and 20-month survival
was 57.2%. Only one patient was not in NYHA functional class due to postop
erative progressive mitral incompetence. Prognostic factors should be ident
ified to avoid early failure. However, even if the mortality rate for PLV h
igh, this operation is a valid choice for the treatment of end-stage dilate
d cardiomyopathy.