New Percutaneous Catheterization of Atrial Tube for Ventriculo-atrial Shunts

Abstract

An adult ventriculo-atrial shunt usally requires many manipulations to insert an atrial tube into the internal jugular vein. Therefore, a new method catheterizing the atrial tube into the right atrium has been attempted. Following percutaneous insertion of the sheath introducer (8 Fr) into the internal jugular vein, the atrial tube was catheterized using a straight guide wire into the right atrium with the sheath-introducer through fluoroscopy. The authors believe this new technique can minimize operative procedures, and can be accomplished easily and accurately.