title: Angiographic identification of malpositioned balloon catheters during mitral valvuloplasty.
abstract: The positioning of balloon catheters for the percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty technique is critical to ensure an adequate result and minimize complications. Passage of two balloon catheters in parallel through a thickened atrial septum and maintenance of satisfactory positioning in the left ventricle can be difficult. We describe unsuspected malpositioning of the balloons in two patients documented angiographically in our laboratory. Recognizing and avoiding these positions will reduce the potential for serious complications.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, St. Louis University Medical Center, Missouri 63110-0250.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tatineni
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Aguirre
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Donohue
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*