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Boston, MA 02115
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Clinical Services (Interventional Catheterization Program):
Catheterization Tools
An amazing assortment of tools used to repair defects can be introduced into the heart through a catheter. Balloons are used to open narrowed blood vessels and stents can be placed to keep them open. Stainless steel and platinum coils can be used to block blood flowing through a misdirected vessel or a shunt that is no longer needed. Several types of devices can seal a hole between heart chambers or in the heart wall.
Cutting balloons are a relatively new type of device. When expanded at the tip of a catheter, they create tiny, controlled scores along the inside of a blood vessel, which allows otherwise very stiff and resistant vessels to be stretched, which eases the flow of blood through the cardiac and pulmonary vessels.

Doctors at Children's catheterization lab have worked with all of these devices. They often work as part of the design team or as researchers and participants in some of the first U.S. clinical trials. Therefore, our doctors are able to choose the best option for your child's particular need.

Catheter-delivered devices
These devices used to seal an atrial septal defect -- which occurs in 5 to 10 percent of all children born with congenital heart disease -- can all be delivered to the heart via a catheter:
CardioSEAL CardioSEAL
CardioSEAL
Amplatzer Device Amplatzer Device
Amplatzer Device
Button Device Button Device
Button Device
ASDOS ASDOS
ASDOS
Angelwing Device Angelwing Device
Angelwing Device
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