| abstract |
Systems and methods for penetrating a tissue membrane to gain access to a target site are disclosed. In some examples, systems and methods for accessing the left atrium from the right atrium of a patient's heart are carried out by puncturing the intra-atrial septal wall. One embodiment provides a system for transseptal cardiac access that includes a stabilizer sheath having a side port, a shaped guiding catheter configured to exit the side port and a tissue penetration member disposed within and extendable from the distal end of the guide catheter. The tissue penetration member may be configured to penetrate tissue upon rotation and may be coupled to a distal portion of a torquable shaft. In some embodiments, the stabilizer sheath and shaped guiding catheter may be moved relative to the patient's body structure and relative to each other so that a desired approach angle may be obtained for the tissue penetration member with respect to the target tissue. |