MediGence: Enabling Better Health Decisions

Balloon Atrial Septostomy is a procedure performed primarily for children and infants. It is a procedure where a small hole is made in the wall between the left and right atria of the heart. The hole is made using a cardiac catheter. Atrial Septostomy reduces the pressure on the right side of the heart, allowing the heart to pump more efficiently. This improves blood flow to the lungs. It is often performed on children with transposition of the arteries. It helps in receiving oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It is also performed to treat congenital heart defect known as Hypoplasic left heart syndrome where the left side of the heart is severely under-developed.

As the procedure is performed predominantly on infants and children the procedure is explained clearly to the parents for consent. The patient is required to undergo a series of tests prior to the procedure. The patient is also advised to fast before the procedure. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.

The procedure is performed by a cardiologist specializing in catheter techniques. A special catheter containing the balloon is inserted into the body through a blood vessel near the groin or belly button. The procedure is usually guided by ultrasound. Once the catheter is pushed all the way to the left atrium of the heart, the balloon tip is inflated and pulled into the right atrium of the heart. By gently tearing some of the muscle that divides these two atria, the small foramen ovale becomes bigger. The balloon is then deflated and the catheter is removed. The incision site is sealed. The procedure is performed under anaesthesia and the patient doesn’t feel any pain or discomfort. As the anaesthesia wears off there might be slight discomfort at the incision site. The procedure involves less risk and is minimally invasive thus reducing the recovery time.

After the procedure, the patient is allowed to slowly come off of the breathing machine based on the respiratory rate of the patient. The oxygen level of the patient is monitored closely. When the oxygen levels are satisfactory and stable the patient is removed from prostaglandin medications. Repeat ultrasound and echocardiogram might be performed to evaluate the outcome of the procedure. Care should be taken at the incision site until it is completely healed. Since the procedure is minimally invasive the patient can resume normal activities after two weeks or so.