Radiofrequency Energy-Assisted Wire Atrial Septostomy to Easily Create a Large Atrial Septal Defect

Wire atrial septostomy, a new transcatheter technique, combines 2 atrial septal defects (ASDs) into a large one in a thickened atrial septum. Although the thin-wire-looped atrial septum between ASDs needs to be pulled deeply into a hard catheter to tear the septum, this action might harm the surrounding cardiac structures. We utilized radiofrequency wire energy to facilitate the tearing of the septum, making the procedure easier and safer. This technical article presents the modified procedure in detail; the procedure was performed in a 6-month-old boy with double outlet right ventricle and intact ventricular septum. MINI-ABSTRACT: This technical article describes modified wire atrial septostomy for thickened atrial septum in detail. Radiofrequency energy facilitated a thin wire-loop in tearing the septum between 2 atrial septal defects to combine the defects into a large one. We believe that this transcatheter procedure is easier and safer than the original one not using a radiofrequency wire energy.