Rashkind balloon atrial septostomy
Last reviewed 01/2018
A Rashkind balloon atrial septostomy is used in the treatment of transposition of the great arteries.
The patent foramen ovale is enlarged in order to create an atrial septal defect, allowing increased intracardiac mixing of the two circulations. This procedure allows the child sufficient supply of oxygenated blood in order to allow the child to thrive up to 6 months of life.