Left heart catheterization by direct puncture with two-dimensional echocardiographic guidance: A case report

In patients with mechanical valves in both the mitral and aortic positions, direct ventricular puncture is the recommended approach to catheterization. We report a case in which two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography was used to guide left heart catheterization by direct ventricular puncture and propose that the use of 2D echocardiography might reduce the risks historically associated the procedure. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.