Simultaneous measurement of aortic and left ventricular pressures in aortic stenosis using a double lumen pigtail catheter

This technical note describes a double lumen pigtail catheter that can facilitate measurement of the aortic valve gradient in patients with aortic stenosis. The catheter is passed retrograde into the left ventricle with the aid of a flexible guide wire. In two patients the measured gradient was not significantly different from that obtained using two systemic arterial catheters.