Abstract
For quick and safe introduction of left atrial (LA) cannula for left heart bypass(AAB) using transseptal puncture technique, weexamined effectiveness of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) guidance. Transseptal puncturewas performed on 24 patients (age=48.6±10.9, 8 males and 16 females) during percutaneous-transseptal mitral commissurotomy by TEE guide. The entire image of Brockenbrough needle tipwas clearly observed by longitudinal image of biplane TEE in all (100%). Transseptal puncture was also performed on 4 dogs (8-13kg) by TEE guide and AAB was performed using LA cannulaspecially designed for transatrial cannulation. AAB support was also performed on 3 patients with percutaneous introduction of LA cannula utilizing the same technique. 2 patients weresurvived with effective support of single AAB (63 year-old, male) or combined support of AAB and veno-arterial bypass (43 year-old, male). In conclusion, transseptal LA cannulation can be performed easily by TEE guide. Thus, percutaneous left heart bypass can be set-up veryquickly and safely even in the intensive care unit without X-ray equipment.
