Balloon atrial septostomy at the bedside versus the catheterisation laboratory

Abstract

A shorter umbilical venous approach provides an opportunity for balloon atrial septostomy in the younger neonate as opposed to those who present at the end of first week of life. However, the ideal choice of access for a bedside balloon atrial septostomy is not well established. Wouldn't prostaglandin infusion be a safer option for transport of babies with dextro-transposition in the neonatal period, when the arterial duct can be kept open? A prenatal diagnosis of dextro-transposition facilitates monitoring and planning of septostomy in the early neonatal period explaining why babies underwent bedside procedures more often.