THE MULTI-TRACK ANGIOGRAPHY CATHETER - A NEW TOOL FOR COMPLEX CATHETERIZATION IN CONGENITAL HEART-DISEASE

Objective - To develop a simple and versatile catheter system for comp lex cardiac catheterisation because angiography and pressure measureme nts during diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterisation are o ften unsatisfactory. Methods - The Multi-Track Angio catheter system i s a single lumen side-hole catheter with a short distal extension cont aining a lumen for a standard guidewire. The catheter is introduced ov er a previously placed guidewire running through this distal extension . It can then be manipulated within the heart by sliding along the gui dewire. The tip of the catheter is always stabilised by the guidewire. This stability enhances angiography and pressure recordings. Results - The Multi-Track Angio catheter system was used in 84 patients (age 1 day - 20 years). Thirty one procedures were diagnostic and 53 interve ntional. The decision to use the Multi-Track Angio catheter was based on three criteria: firstly, unsatisfactory angiography obtained with c onventional equipment; secondly, difficult catheter course requiring u se of a guidewire; and thirdly, requirement for angiography and pressu re recordings during interventional procedures. No complications were encountered. High quality angiography could be performed in all cases without catheter recoil. Conclusions - The Multi-Track Angio catheter system allows for high quality angiography and pressure recordings dur ing diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterisation. The advanta ge of the system is that both angiography and pressure recordings can be performed repeatedly from stable catheter positions using a previou sly placed guidewire. This reduces the need for guidewire manipulation s or catheter exchanges and decreases procedure time and the risk of c omplications.