Left heart catheterization by direct ventricular puncture.

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Abstract
A comparatively safe method of left ventricular puncture using a 20 cm (8 in) 18-gauge teflon catheter was evaluated in dogs. It was later used in 55 patients most of whom had rheumatic valvular disease. It can be used as an alternative to left heart catheterization and for measuring the systolic aortic valve gradient. By adding the Seldinger technique and accepting a slight additional morbidity, the technique described can be modified to produce satisfactory left ventriculograms.