Balloon Atrial Septostomy in Neonates and Infants with Congenital Heart Disease

Choi, Sang Ha; Ma, Jae Sook

Abstract

In neonates and infants with certain types of cyanotic congenital heart disease such as transposition of the great arteries, an adequate interatrial communication is essential for survival and these patients need to receive atrial septostomy. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of balloon atrial septostomy(BAS) in 12 patients who underwent this procedure with Rashkind septostomy balloon catheter at Chonnam University Hospital from October 1990 to February 1995. The results were as follows ; 1. In all 12 patients, the clinical condition was improved. 2. Two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated enlarged atrial septal defects and diminished atrial septal deviation in all patients. 3. Among 3 patients with complications during BAS, 2 patients complicating with supraventricular tachycardia were normalized by appropriate treatments and 1 patient with inferior vena cava injury had no significant problems. In conclusion, BAS with Rashkind septostomy balloon catheter is relatively safe and effective palliation in neonates and infants with congenital heart disease requiring an interatrial communication until they receive corrective heart surgery. And two-dimensional echocardiography seems to be the useful method for evaluation of the efficacy of this procedure.