[Antegrade catheterization of the aorta with a flow-directed balloon catheter following transseptal left atrial puncture: a new technique].

The described heart catheterization technique allows the antegrade catheterization of the aorta from the left ventricle with a Swan-Ganz-flow-directed catheter via the saphenous vein and subsequent puncture of the intact atrial septum. The transseptal Brockenbrough-technique is modified by the use of a long thin polythene sheath which is fitted over the transseptal left heart catheter and can be advanced over the catheter after atrial septal puncture. A Swan-Ganz-flow-directed catheter can be passed directly to the left ventricle toward the outflow tract before it enters the aorta. This technique was used successfully on 18 children. By avoiding the retrograde arterial catheter technique additional information will be obtained.