Using wires and balloons to localize the septal artery feeding the diseased muscle under both fluoroscopic (X-ray) and echocardiographic (ultrasound) guidance, a small amount of pure alcohol is infused into the artery to produce a small heart attack. Patients typically experience mild chest discomfort during the procedure, which takes approximately 60–90 minutes to complete.
To pinpoint the septal artery supplying the affected muscle, a catheter is inserted using wires and balloons under both X-ray and ultrasound imaging. A small amount of pure alcohol is then injected into the artery to induce a minor heart attack in the patient. The procedure usually causes mild chest pain and takes about 1-2 hours to complete.