USE OF BALLOON OCCLUSION TO IMPROVE VISUALIZATION OF ANOMALOUS PULMONARY VENOUS RETURN IN AN ADULT WITH COR-TRIATRIATUM

Cor triatriatum, although rare in adults, is often associated with ano malous pulmonary venous return. Accurate diagnosis of the pulmonary ve nous return and its anatomic connections is essential in planning prop er surgical correction. This case illustrates the advantage of selecti ve pulmonary artery angiography in obtaining accurate detail of the pu lmonary venous anatomy from digital subtraction levophase images. Sele ctive right and left pulmonary angiography was performed using a ballo on catheter to simultaneously occlude the opposite pulmonary artery. T his technique was well tolerated and greatly enhanced visualization of the anomalous pulmonary venous connections, allowing proper planning for corrective surgery.