CARDIOVASCULAR FIBEROPTIC ENDOSCOPY - DEVELOPMENT AND CLINICAL-APPLICATION

Abstract

A slender, flexible cardiovascular fiberoptic endoscope was developed. It is 4.0 mm in diameter and 120 cm in length. It is introduced through the peripheral vessels, and endoscopy is performed similarly to the procedure of the cardiac catheterization. It was applied in 45 patients: preoperative and intraoperative diagnoses of various heart diseases in 25 patients and the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative diagnoses of various vascular diseases in 20. Most applications were aimed at the accurate preoperative diagnosis of an atrial septal defect. With the flexible endoscope, the right sides of the heart and vascular lumens were clearly visualized. There were no infections, and no apparent injuries of the cardiovascular system were produced by the insertion and manipulation of the endoscope. The 1st step toward the use of cardiovascular endoscope as an adjunctive diagnostic procedure was evidently achieved.