2013 Volume 29 Issue 4 Pages 178-181
Background: Questionnaire survey from the Japanese Society of Pediatric Interventional Cardiology（ JPIC） estimated that static BAS had been annually performed for around 80 patients.However，balloon catheters for static BAS are off-label，while there is no official technical fee for this procedure.
Method: For 33 facilities where board members of JPIC belong to，retrospective questionnaire surveys were performed on the current status of static balloon atrial septostomy（ static BAS）.
Results: Among 26 responders，19 facilities experienced static BAS form January 1，2009 to December 31，2011.Eighteen facilities out of experienced 19 reported 111 patients with static BAS. 1） There were 45 neonates within 28 days（ median 7 days），60 infants younger than 12 months（ 2 months），and 6 patients older than 1 year（ 15 years）. 2） Underlying heart diseases were 55 patients of hypoplastic left heart syndrome，31 of transposition of the great arteries，20 of right ventricular hypoplastic disorders，and others. 3） Indication for static BAS was the primary choice in 73 patients，secondary choice following ineffective Rashkind method in 35，and others. 4） All balloon catheters for static BAS were standard balloon catheters for valvulo- or angioplasty.Standard BAS was performed following static BAS in 32 ％ of patients. 5） Common diameters of balloons were 12mm followed by 10mm. 6） Static BAS was effective in 85％ of patients，while untoward events occurred in 5％ of patients.There was no death associated with static BAS.
Conclusion: Static BAS is a safe and effective procedure，which is accepted as a common procedure in our country.
