[Insertion behavior of miniature IBW-79 pressure transducers in the left heart]

It is reported on the properties of the new catheter-tip pressure transducer IBW-79 (Ch 5) for applications in the left heart. The approach to the left ventricle was carried out with the help of Seldinger-technique (Ch 10) via A. femoralis. In all cases positioning of the pressure transducer in the left ventricle succeeded, but in 2 out of 12 patients there were complications after diagnostic program caused by the puncture. The pressure measurements were from a high quality and high fidelity. Zero shifts during the measurements were in the order of -0.5 kPa (-3.8 mm Hg), directions are given for correction or compensation. In our opinion the IBW-79 is a valuable new sensor-catheter for measuring the pressure in the left heart, above all for scientific applications.