A Balloon Atrial Septostomy (or Rashkind procedure) is a procedure that is used to create an opening in the wall between the upper chambers of the heart (atria). This is performed in certain cases to improve blood oxygenation, particularly for congenital heart defects. A deflated balloon catheter is guided into the heart and into a small hole in the atrial septum (see fig. 1). The balloon is then inflated, creating a larger hole in the atrial septum (see fig. 2).

Figure 1: Balloon catheter is guided into the heart and passed through the atrial septum.

Figure 2: The balloon catheter is inflated and a larger hole in the atrial septum is created.