Use of a straight, side-hole delivery sheath for improved delivery of Amplatzer ASD occluder.

The Amplatzer ASD occluder may be difficult to position in some patients with a large atrial septal defect (ASD) or deficiency of one or more atrial septal rims. We developed a method to modify a Mullins transseptal sheath to enhance delivery. The resulting sheath is straight and has an exit orifice essential in the side of the distal portion of the sheath-a straight, side-hole (SSH) delivery sheath. We have used this modified delivery sheath in 140 successive patients with excellent results. The techniques of sheath modification and delivery of the device using the modified sheath are described. Copyright (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.