Strategies For Treating Tricuspid Atresia

Atrial Septostomy

An infant born with tricuspid atresia may have a tricuspid valve that is nonexistent or completely sealed and too small of a patent foramen ovale or hole between the right and left atrium. An atrial septostomy is used to expand this hole to allow a better flow of blood from the right atrium to the left atrium. This objective is often accomplished using a catheter and a balloon in a Rashkind balloon atrial septostomy. During this procedure, a balloon on the end of a catheter is passed into the patient's body through a large vein and maneuvered to the right atrium of the heart. From the right atrium, the catheter is threaded into the left atrium through the small patent foramen ovale. Once in the left atrium, the balloon is inflated. The balloon and catheter are pulled back sharply into the right atrium from the left atrium causing the patent foramen ovale to become larger. The catheter and balloon are then removed to allow for better blood flow from the right to the left atrium.

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