ABSTRACT
A technique for placement of a left atrial monitoring line is described. Following repair of a complex congenital heart defect, a long catheter previously advanced from the common femoral vein or the saphenous vein into the right atrium is inserted across the interatrial septum through the parent foramen ovale or through a small incision in the atrial septum at the level of the fossa ovalis. A suture is placed to close the interatrial septum around the catheter. This technique has been used successfully for four years.
Subject(s)
Cardiac Catheterization/instrumentation , Monitoring, Physiologic/methods , Atrial Function , Heart Defects, Congenital/surgery , Humans , PressureSubject(s)
Emphysema/etiology , Bradycardia/therapy , Humans , Infant , Male , Pacemaker, Artificial , Postoperative Complications , Scrotum , Subcutaneous Emphysema/etiologySubject(s)
Anesthesia, General/methods , Lung Diseases/surgery , Adult , Humans , Intubation, Intratracheal , Lung Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Lung Diseases/etiology , Male , Pneumothorax/surgery , Postoperative Complications , Posture , Preoperative Care , Radiography , Thoracic Surgery , Torsion Abnormality/diagnostic imaging , Torsion Abnormality/etiology , Torsion Abnormality/surgeryABSTRACT
A simplified solid thermodilution catheter has been used in 100 infants and children undergoing open heart surgery. The catheter is now available commercially. It is introduced into the main pulmonary artery through the right ventricular wall. The technique is simple, non-traumatic, speedy and has been without complications in 100 cases.