MORPHOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FOSSA OVALIS AS AN ANATOMIC BASIS FOR TRANSSEPTAL CATHETERIZATION

Interest in transseptal catheterization has increased in recent decade s, due to the fact that the technique has acquired a degree of securit y similar to other procedures. For a correct transseptal catheterizati on technique, it is essential to know the exact location of the fossa ovalis, its points of reference, and those morphologic parameters whic h allow us to assume precisely its dimensions. For this purpose, 97 hu man fresh hearts were studied (age range: 17-94 years; mean 63.74 +/- 18.50, 62 (64%) men and 35 (36%) women). The major and minor diameters of the fossa ovalis and the thickness of the intervenous tubercle wer e measured. In 22% of the cases, the fossa ovalis was permeable. Corre lative tests between morphologic and general parameters were made. A p ositive correlation between cardiac weight and fossa ovalis area, and cardiac weight and thickness of the anterior limbus of the fossa was o btained.