Successful radiofrequency perforation and balloon decompression of cor triatriatum sinister using novel technique, a...

Cor triatriatum sinister (CTS) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly representing <0.1% of all congenital cardiac malformations. It is characterized by the presence of a left atrial (LA) membrane that leads to left ventricular inflow obstruction. Uncorrected, obstructed CTS may have significant sequelae such as pulmonary hypertension or arrhythmias. Transcatheter balloon decompression has been described as a successful alternative to surgical resection of the obstructing membrane. Our review of the literature revealed no reported cases utilizing radiofrequency (RF) energy to perforate the CTS membrane prior to balloon decompression. This manuscript describes two patients with CTS who were treated successfully with a transcatheter technique using RF energy to perforate the obstructing membrane prior to balloon angioplasty and decompression of the LA.