Transseptal Puncture: Devices, Techniques, and Considerations for Specific Interventions

Purpose of Review

Transseptal puncture is a routinely performed interventional cardiology procedure for an array of cardiac diseases. We aimed to review the current status of available devices and techniques of transseptal puncture with consideration to specific interventions.

Recent Findings

Except for a few modifications, devices for transseptal puncture technique has not changed much compared to when it was first described almost 60 years ago. For difficult transseptal puncture, a few newer techniques such as radio frequency needle puncture system have been used but there is lack of robust clinical study. Advanced imaging, such as intracardiac echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography, has been found to make transseptal puncture safer. A new transseptal approach that incorporates 3D non-fluoroscopic catheter tracking systems has shown promising results in two human studies.

Summary

While various modifications in the transseptal technique tailored to the specific interventions have improved procedural safety, further improvement in existing devices focusing on distinct procedure might be needed in the future.