Catheterization of the pulmonary artery using a 3 French catheter in patients with congenital heart disease

A 3 French (3F) coaxial polyurethane catheter was utilized for catheterization of the pulmonary artery in patients with complex congenital heart disease with concomitant stenosis or atresia of the pulmonary valve, with or without Blalock-Taussig shunts. Mean aortic and atrial pressures measured with the 3F catheter were compared with those measured with 5-6F conventional catheters. The values measured with the 3F catheter were identical to those...