Balloon atrial septostomy using echocardiographic monitoring

Six patients with d-transposition of the great arteries and 1 patient with tricuspid atresia were diagnosed echocardiographically. Balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) was performed successfully in all cases with the aid of two-dimensional echocardiography. Echocardiography may be superior to fluoroscopy during BAS because it permits easy detection of spontaneous passage of the inflated catheter into the left ventricle spontaneously through the mitral valve (like a left atrial myxoma). With the visualization of related cardiac structures during BAS, obstruction of the IVC with the balloon was also prevented. Using this method, bedside application of BAS is possible.