A safe and rapid technique for retrograde catheterization of the left ventricle in aortic stenosis.

The present report describes our experience in 82 patients with a pigtail-straight guide wire system for crossing stenotic aortic valves. The technique was successful in 95% of all the attempts and the average fluoroscopic time was three minutes. There were no major complications of the procedure. The technique allowed for consistent, high quality ventriculograms in 73 patients enabling us to define the severity of concomitant mitral regurgitation in 27 of the patients, as well as a preoperative ejection fraction in all 73 patients. We conclude that the technique as described is a safe and efficient way to obtain both hemodynamic and angiographic information at minimum risk in patients with severe aortic stenosis.