MITRAL DILATATION WITH THE MULTI-TRACK SYSTEM - AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH

We developed a simple and versatile new technique (MultiTrack) for per cutaneous mitral valvotomy using two separate balloon catheters positi oned on a single guidewire. The first catheter, with only a distal gui dewire lumen and a proximal balloon, is introduced over the guidewire into the vein and then advanced into the mitral valve orifice. Subsequ ently, a normal balloon catheter running on the same guidewire is inse rted and lined up with the first catheter so the two are positioned si de by side. The balloons are then inflated simultaneously. The techniq ue was applied in 12 patients between 10 and 44 years of age (mean, 27 .1) and weighing 24-80 kg (mean, 50.3). Valve area increased from 0.66 cm(2) (range, 0.3-0.9 cm(2)) to 1.97 cm(2) (range, 1.3-3.1 cm(2)) and mean left atrial pressure dropped from 31 mmHg (range, 18-52 mmHg) to 12 mmHg (range, 5-22 mmHg). Mitral dilatation with the Multi-Track sy stem gives results comparable to those with previously described techn iques and uses simpler and less costly catheters. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.