Ventriculoatrial Shunts: Review of Technical Aspects and Complications.

Abstract Diversion of cerebrospinal fluid is required in many neurosurgical conditions. When a standard ventriculoperitoneal shunt or endoscopic third ventriculostomy are not appropriate options, ventriculoatrial shunting (VAS) is a safe and relatively familiar second-line shunting procedure. Herein we review the technical aspects of VAS using an illustrative case. Focus is placed on the different modalities for inserting and confirming the location of the distal catheter tip. We discuss how to overcome typical difficulties and significant concerns such as cardiac arrhythmias and venous thrombosis. In addition, we review the current literature for the different complications associated with the VAS procedure.