Method for positioning esophageal catheter for determining pressures associated with the left atrium
First Claim
1. A method for determining a pressure associated with the left atrium comprising the steps of (a) moving a bi-polar electrode lengthwise within the esophagus, (b) obtaining an electrogram at each of a series of incremental depths as the electrode is moved lengthwise within the esophagus, (c) determining for at least one P wave in each of the incremental electrograms the length of the negative portion of the largest absolute value segment of the respective p wave, (d) selecting an esophageal depth which corresponds to the incremental electrode depth at which the electrogram therefor shows the greatest negative portion length, (e) inserting a balloon into the esophagus, (f) positioning the balloon at the selected esophageal depth, (g) inflating the balloon, and (h) determining a pressure associated with the left atrium from effects on the inflated balloon at the selected esophageal depth.
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Abstract
A method for positioning an esophageal catheter for determining a pressure associated with the left atrium. As a bi-polar electrode is moved up the esophagus, an electrogram is obtained at each of a series of incremental depths. The length of the negative portion of the largest absolute value segment of the respective P wave is determined for at least one P wave in each of the incremental electrograms. The depth of the left atrium is selected to be that which corresponds to the incremental electrode depth at which the electrogram therefor shows the greatest negative portion length. A balloon for determining a pressure associated with the left atrium is positioned at the selected depth.
156 Citations
4 Claims
- 1. A method for determining a pressure associated with the left atrium comprising the steps of (a) moving a bi-polar electrode lengthwise within the esophagus, (b) obtaining an electrogram at each of a series of incremental depths as the electrode is moved lengthwise within the esophagus, (c) determining for at least one P wave in each of the incremental electrograms the length of the negative portion of the largest absolute value segment of the respective p wave, (d) selecting an esophageal depth which corresponds to the incremental electrode depth at which the electrogram therefor shows the greatest negative portion length, (e) inserting a balloon into the esophagus, (f) positioning the balloon at the selected esophageal depth, (g) inflating the balloon, and (h) determining a pressure associated with the left atrium from effects on the inflated balloon at the selected esophageal depth.
Specification