title: Interatrial septal puncture without the use of fluoroscopy-reducing ionizing radiation in left atrial ablation procedures.
abstract: Ablation for atrial fibrillation is now widespread and may involve the delivery of relatively high doses of ionizing radiation to both patients and operators. Until now, atrial septal puncture has mandated the use of either fluoroscopy or additional expensive imaging modalities for its safe deployment. We describe a novel technique using the EnSite NavX three-dimensional imaging system for visualization of the transseptal needle throughout the puncture-without the need for either fluoroscopy or additional imaging. This may be important in reducing the need for fluoroscopy for left atrial ablation procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Academic Cardiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK. ewen.shepherd@talktalk.net
authors.forename: Ewen J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.forename: Stephen S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Furniss
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000601:surgery*; D006346:Heart Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome