title: Echocardiographic guidance of catheter-based treatments of atrial septal defect: transesophageal echocardiography remains the gold standard.
abstract: The availability of echocardiographic imaging to the catheterization laboratory has been recognized as an essential component of every congenital heart program for almost 30 years. The imaging data that are uniquely available using this technique may be used to plan the catheterization procedure; to add insights regarding valve anatomy and chordal insertions and myocardial performance; to assist in the identification of pericardial effusions; and to provide additional guidance for the performance of pericardiocentesis.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA. ck2098@columbia.edu
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kleinman
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012449:Safety