Rashkind procedure

Rashkind procedure

[rash′kind]

Etymology: William J. Rashkind, American physician, b. 1922; L, procedere, to go forth

the enlargement of an opening in the cardiac septum between the right and left atria. It is performed to relieve congestive heart failure in newborns with certain congenital heart defects by improving the oxygenation of the blood. The procedure allows more mixing between oxygenated blood from the lungs and systemic blood without the risk of surgery, sustaining life until the child is 2 to 3 years of age and a shunt can be created to carry systemic blood to the lungs. Before surgery a cardiac catheterization is done to pinpoint the defect. Under light general anesthesia, a deflated balloon is passed pervenously through the foramen ovale into the left atrium. The balloon is inflated and pulled across the septum to enlarge the opening. After surgery the infant is observed carefully for respiratory difficulty, signs of hypoxia, or decreasing cardiac output. Humidified oxygen is administered. Fluids and electrolytes are closely monitored. Also called balloon septostomy.