The use of transesophageal echocardiography to avoid left atrial thrombus during percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty.
During mitral balloon valvuloplasty, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been employed for the accurate placement of the transseptal needle, guide wires, and balloon catheters and to provide an immediate evaluation of the results of the procedure. We describe a case demonstrating that TEE can be used to avoid a left atrial appendage thrombus during the placement of wires and catheters. With TEE guidance, we feel left atrial appendage thrombi are no longer an absolute contraindication to percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty.
Kamalesh
M
M
Division of Cardiology, New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215.
Burger
A J
AJ
Shubrooks
S J
SJ
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization; D000075202:Contraindications; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging