A new catheter design for use in patients with critical aortic stenosis

A new catheter that facilitates catheterization in patients with severe aortic stenosis is described. The catheter design is capable of high-pressure injections for left ventriculography, but it maintains maneuverability and has an end hole for use with a guide wire in traversing tightly stenotic valves. Experience with this catheter in 23 patients confirmed that good-quality ventriculograms are obtained after left ventricular entry. Twenty-two of 23 patients with aortic stenosis were studied entirely with this catheter; in only one case were attempts to cross the valve unsuccessful, both with this and other catheters. In conclusion, this new catheter is recommended for routine use in patients with suspected severe aortic stenosis.