Atrial septostomy in the treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension

pp 297-299

Abstract

A 33 year old female with primary pulmonary hypertension unresponsive to vasodilators was treated with palliative atrial sept ostomy twice. The symptoms improved after both procedures despite the fact that the pulmonary artery pressure did not change. Survival after the first sept ostomy has been 24 months. From this and other experiences it could be advised that patients with refractory primary pulmonary hypertension should be submitted to palliative balloon atrial sept ostomy to improve symptoms and prolong life until a heart-lung transplant is feasible.