Transseptal left heart catheterization with a Swan-Ganz flow-directed catheter: review of 173 studies.

Of 178 transseptal left heart catheterizations performed, 173 successful cases are reported, with the use of a Swan-Ganz, flow-directed, balloon-tipped catheter. By means of a modified Brockenbrough technique, which is described in detail, a 10F Teflon tube (3.3 mm outside diameter) was inserted into the left atrium.