Percutaneous introduction of left atrial cannula for left heart bypass: utility of biplane transesophageal echocardiographic guidance for transseptal puncture.

For introduction of a left atrial (LA) cannula by the transseptal puncture technique, we examined the feasibility of using biplane transesophageal echocardiography (B-TEE). A transseptal puncture was performed on 15 patients (3 male; 12 female; mean age, 48.9 +/- 11.2 years) by B-TEE guide during percutaneous transvenous mitral comissurotomy (PTMC). The entire Brocken-brough needle and the position of its tip were clearly observed in the right atrium by a longitudinal image of B-TEE in all patients (100%), and in 2 (13%) of them also by the transverse image of B-TEE. The puncture was about 1 cm caudal from the center of the fossa ovalis to avoid any large residual atrial septal defect. After transseptal puncture, a Mullin's sheath (7 Fr) and a dilator (14 Fr) were inserted into the left atrium in order, and then an Inoue's balloon catheter (12 Fr) was introduced without difficulty into the left atrium in all patients. With contrast injection, the position of the sheaths's tip was clearly confirmed by B-TEE. Left heart bypass support (left atrial-femoral artery bypass or AAB) was performed on 2 patients after percutaneous introduction of the LA cannula using this technique, and both were successfully supported and survived. With B-TEE guidance, the Brockenbrough atrial septal puncture and introduction of the LA cannula into left atrium can be performed easily. Thus, percutaneous left heart bypass can be set up quickly and safely even in an intensive care unit or outpatient emergency room without radiographic guidance.