A uniQue wAy of Transcatheter mAss extraction: The QATAR Procedure

Intracardiac masses traditionally require surgical resection, but transcatheter techniques offer a less invasive alternative.

A 57-year-old woman with rheumatic heart disease and severe mitral stenosis was evaluated for percutaneous mitral commissurotomy. Imaging revealed a mobile right atrial mass near the inferior vena cava, posing a risk for embolization. Given the need for mass removal before the procedure, we performed the QATAR technique using the Penumbra Lightning 16 system, a loop snare, and electrocautery. The mass was successfully extracted without complications.

This case highlights the feasibility of a novel transcatheter approach for intracardiac mass removal, reducing the need for open surgery. The QATAR procedure integrates electrosurgery with catheter-based extraction, expanding therapeutic options for high-risk patients.

We aim to highlight a novel transcatheter technique combining electrosurgery and catheter-based therapies to remove intracardiac tumors. The QATAR procedure is a safe and effective technique for intracardiac mass removal, offering a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.