Balloon septostomy

Balloon septostomy is the widening of a foramen ovale, patent foramen ovale(PFO), or atrial septal defect(ASD) via cardiac catheterization(heart cath) using a balloon catheter. This procedure allows a greater amount of oxygenatedbloodto enter the systemic circulationin some cases of cyanoticcongenitalheart defect(CHD).

After the basic heart cath is initiated, the deflatedballoon catheter is passed from the right atriumthrough the foramen ovale, PFO or ASD into the left atrium, it is then inflatedand pulled back through to the right atrium, thereby enlarging the opening and allowing greater amounts of blood to pass through it. The resulting man-made opening, or passage, is one of many forms of shunting, and is often referred to as an ASD.

This is normally a palliativeprocedure used to prepare a patient for, or sustain them until, a corrective surgerycan be performed. It is at this time that the ASD is closed using either suturesor a cardiac patch, depending on the size and/or nature of the opening.

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balloon+septostomy Wikipedia article Balloon septostomy.