Transesophageal echocardiographic guidance of blade atrial septostomy in children

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was used to guide blade atrial septo stomy in children requiring decompression of right or left atrium. In conju nction with biplane fluoroscopy, TEE was used to position the blade septost omy catheter and to monitor the pullback from left atrium to right atrium. Subsequent balloon dilatation of atrial septum was also carried out under T EE control. The use of TEE monitoring facilitated the procedure by providin g optimal views of intracardiac structures while also limiting the total ra diation exposure. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;52:200-202. (C) 2001 Wil ey-Liss, Inc.