Double loop guiding catheter: A primary catheter for angioplasty of the right coronary artery

Double loop guiding catheters have been used for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of the right coronary artery (RCA) in 42 consecutive cases. A catheter with a 90- degree primary curve was used when the proximal RCA had horizontal or inferior orientation. When the proximal segment of the RCA was oriented superiorly (shepherd's crook), the catheter with a 75-degree primary curve was used. Catheters were fabricated with short (1.5 cm) or long (2.3 cm) (USCI, C.R. Bard, Inc., Billerica, MA) distal tips. Short-tip catheters were satisfactory in the majority of cases. When the RCA had a complex course and more backup was necessary or when the ascending aorta was wide, long-tip catheters were found to be the best choice. Angioplasty of 49 lesions was attempted in 42 consecutive patients. In 39 patients successful dilatation was achieved (93%). In three patients the procedure was unsuccessful. In one patient, the lesion could not be crossed with the guidewire despite an excellent backup. In another patient, two of three stenoses were dilated successfully; the distal lesion was crossed with a guidewire but could not be crossed with the balloon catheter in spite of a good backup. The lack of a satisfactory engagement and inadequate backup were responsible for the failure in only one patient. There were no complications related to these guiding catheters. We conclude that double loop guiding catheters are safe and can be the primary choice in all right coronary angioplasties. These catheters provide an excellent backup with consequent high success rate.     

Effectiveness of the Arani double-loop guiding catheters in angioplasty of aorto-coronary vein grafts

Double-loop guiding catheters have been used for angioplasty of aorto-coronary vein grafts (VG) or grafted arteries through the VG in 31 cases. A catheter with a 90 degrees primary curve was usually the best choice for angioplasty of the VG to the right coronary artery (RCA). For angioplasty of the VG to the left coronary artery branches (LCA), a 90 degrees primary curve was used when the proximal segment of the VG was oriented horizontally and a 75 degrees (USCI, C.R. Bard, Inc., Billerica, MA) was used when the proximal segment was directed superiorly. Angioplasty of 32 lesions was attempted in 31 patients. These catheters provided good "back-up" in angioplasty of 30 lesions (94%). The lesions were crossed with balloon catheters in 29 cases (91%). There was one acute VG occlusion requiring coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, a complication not attributed to the guiding catheter. We conclude that Arani guiding catheters provide strong back-up, are helpful in angioplasty of the vein grafts, and could be used as the primary choice for VG angioplasties.     

Retrieval of a migrated coronary stent by means of an alligator forceps catheter

Stent migration and embolization are well-known complications of intracoronary stenting with balloon-mounted stents. During an elective stenting procedure of a proximal right coronary artery stenosis, a 3.5 mm Wiktor stent (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis) was displaced from its delivery balloon. The guiding catheter and the delivery system were withdrawn, leaving the stent around a 3 m 0.014 inch High Torque floppy guidewire (ACS, Santa Clara, CA) in the abdominal aorta. An 40 cm 5F Alligator Forceps catheter (Cook OB/Gyn., Spencer, IN), introduced through a cut-off 8F coronary guiding catheter, allowed improved torque control of the retrieval catheter and a safe and successful withdrawal of the stent through the arterial introducer Sheet. © 1993 Wiiey-Liss, Inc.     

Judkins Left指引导管在起源异常的右冠状动脉经桡动脉行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗中的应用

目的评价Judkins Left系列指引导管在起源于左冠状窦的右冠状动脉经桡动脉行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）中应用的安全性和有效性。方法 11例患者起源于左冠状窦的右冠状动脉存在狭窄或闭塞病变,均采用右侧桡动脉穿刺,选择JL 3.5或JL 4.0指引导管行右冠状动脉PCI,根据病变情况必要时应用双导丝技术或5进6子母导管技术增加指引导管同轴性和支撑力。慢性闭塞病变常规应用微导管增加指引导丝支撑力,以便于更换导丝。观察手术成功率、并发症和近期随访结果。结果 11例患者中,3例为右冠状动脉慢性闭塞病变,8例为严重狭窄病变,同时合并左冠状动脉病变。所有患者均使用Judkins Left系列指引导管经桡动脉成功完成右冠状动脉PCI,7例应用JL 3.5指引导管,4例应用JL 4.0指引导管。2例在Judkins Left系列指引导管基础上应用5进6子母导管,其中包括1例右冠状动脉慢性闭塞病变;4例应用双导丝技术增加支撑力。3例慢性闭塞病变在微导管支持下均成功行PCI,其中1例先应用双导丝技术、后5进6子母导管增强支撑力。所有患者均成功置入药物洗脱支架,共置入支架19枚,每例右冠状动脉置入支架1~3（1.7±0.7）枚,置入支架长度为18~99（44.1±23.8）mm。术中所有患者均未出现冠状动脉穿孔、栓塞或夹层等并发症,手术成功率100%。住院期间无心脏压塞及支架血栓等并发症。术后临床随访6~12个月,无死亡及心肌梗死等不良心血管事件发生。结论对于右冠状动脉起源于左冠状窦病变,经右侧桡动脉途径,可以选择Judkins Left系列指引导管行PCI,支撑力不够时,可辅以其他增加支撑力的技术,如微导管技术、双导丝技术、子母导管技术等完成手术操作。     

Stent thrombosis after complex multivessel stenting in an elderly patient

We report a challenging case in terms of procedural difficulty as well as long‐term patency. Multivessel stenting procedures for long subtotal occlusions in the right coronary artery (RCA) and left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were successfully performed in an 84‐year‐old female who had complications of severe left ventricular dysfunction and a recent history of gastric ulcer bleeding. Two bare‐metal stents were successfully deployed in the mid and distal RCA. A drug‐eluting stent could only be deployed in the proximal RCA. Two drug‐eluting stents were deployed in the proximal LAD and LMT. Late stent thrombosis in the proximal RCA occurred about 3 months later. We speculated that a lack of aspirin and bare metal stent restenosis were the reasons for the late stent thrombosis. This case was very challenging in terms of balancing the risk of ischemia and bleeding after coronary stent deployment. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Angioplasty of Anomalous Coronaries Arising from the Opposite Sinus with an Interarterial Course,is it Safe?

BackgroundThe coronary artery with an interarterial course CAIAC is the most threatening coronary anomaly, especially if it concerns the left coronary. Percutaneous coronary intervention PCI is scarcely described given its low prevalence and lack of long-term outcome data. Therefore, we assessed through this case series the feasibility and safety of PCI in this population.MethodsThis is an observational multicentric study including patients with CAIAC arising from the opposite sinus of Valsalva. The primary endpoints were immediate angiographic success and target lesion revascularization.ResultsDuring the period of the study, we performed 27235 PCI in six Cath labs, 26 procedures concerning abnormal coronaries including 12 with CAIAC. The median age was 57 years extremes: 43–78 with male predominance 1:11. Anomalous coronary artery was Right coronary artery RCA in eight patients, Left main LM in three patients, and left anterior descending LAD in one patient. The stenosis was located in all cases in proximal segments beyond the inter-arterial course proximal LAD, the superior genius of the RCA, or the proximal segment of mid-RCA. Five patients showed slit-like ostium and all have an angle take-off <45° on CT scan. After a median follow-up of 24 months, four subjects presented target lesion revascularization TLR, all were initially treated with either a bare-metal stent or with balloons.ConclusionsPCI of patients with CAIAC is feasible and appears safe. The operator should carefully analyze the angiogram before PCI to choose the appropriate guiding catheter and should be acquainted with the different techniques for improving backup.     

Delayed development of a coronary artery pseudoaneurysm after angioplasty

One month after a successful angioplasty, one of our patients developed a new aneurysm in the right coronary artery (RCA). The aneurysm was characterized as a pseudoaneurysm by the use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). A stenosis that was not well seen by angiography was better depicted by IVUS. Both the pseudoaneurysm and the stenosis were successfully treated with a second angioplasty and stenting with a covered stent. Delayed development of pseudoaneurysms after dissection is an uncommon, but possible complication after angioplasty. In this case IVUS was useful for accurate characterization of the aneurysm. The use of covered stents may become a clinically useful method for treating coronary pseudoaneurysms. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 47:186–190, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Potential risk of provisional stenting in left main coronary artery bifurcation in multivessel‐related acute coronary syndrome

We present a case of an elderly man suffering from an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with preshock vital signs and remarkable ST–T wave depression in leads V4–V6, and ST elevation in lead aVR. Coronary angiography showed total occlusion of the right coronary artery (RCA) and impending occlusion in the distal left main coronary artery (LMCA) with a tandem lesion in the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD). After insertion of an intra‐aortic balloon pump both the LAD and left circumflex artery (LCX) were dilated alternatively; and cross‐over stenting in the LMCA bifurcation was subsequently performed. However, total occlusion of the LCX occurred and it caused acute hemodynamic collapse and ventricular fibrillation storm. Immediate installation of percutaneous cardio‐pulmonary support system allowed stent deployment to be performed in the RCA and subsequent reopening of the LCX that led to a return to sinus rhythm. The patient recovered almost normal left ventricular wall motion and previous activity without any neurological deficit within 2 weeks. Provisional stenting in ACS in the LMCA bifurcation with multivessel disease has a potential risk of acute hemodynamic collapse; a planned two‐stent deployment strategy may assure a higher rate of safety in such cases. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

冠状动脉介入术中深置指引导管技术的应用与评价

目的:分析深置指引导管技术在冠状动脉介入中的适用性和安全性。方法:在203例冠状动脉介入中采用了深置指引导管技术。涉及血管209支,包括左前降支(LAD)、左旋支(LCX)、右冠状动脉(RCA)。处理病变214处,其中C型病变占74.7%。所有病例的介入血管径路为股动脉。除4例为撤出释放了支架的球囊,余为球囊或支架难以通过病变而采用该技术。5例左主干、2例RCA开口有轻度狭窄。结果:采用深置指引导管技术进行介入的214处病变,成功处理204处,成功率95.3%。在操作成功的病例中,3例是经RCA近端已释放的支架深置指引导管,1例是经左主干支架向前降支深置指引导管,4例均成功撤出释放了支架的球囊;3例用1.5mm小球囊扩张靶病变后再深置指引导管完成后续的介入操作。1例发生左主干及LAD夹层。失败10例,其在深置指引导管下球囊或支架未能通过病变。结论:深置指引导管可有效地提高针对复杂、困难冠状动脉病变介入操作的成功率。在RCA进行该操作比较安全;但该术也可能会造成左主干及其分支内膜撕裂、夹层形成的严重并发症。     

Recurrent syncope due to complete atrioventricular block,a rare presenting symptom of otherwise silent coronary artery disease: Successful treatment by PTCA

A patient presented with recurrent syncope and episodes of AV block preceded by asymptomatic ST segment elevation on ambulatory monitoring. Coronary angiography revealed a severe stenosis in the midsegment of the right coronary artery (RCA). Successful PTCA and stent insertion abolished further episodes of syncope. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 42:216–218, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Long-tip guiding catheter: Successful and safe for left coronary artery angioplasty

A long-tip guiding catheter was designed for angioplasty of the left coronary artery. Principal factors of guiding catheter function were identified, and the catheter's shape was designed to utilize them efficiently. Emphasis was placed on an overbent secondary curve (150–180°) for more precise catheter control. The distal tip of the catheter is 2 cm long in the 4.0 size and the primary bend is shallow, ～20%. A 1.5 cm long segment between the secondary and tertiary curves enhances stability and support. Catheter performance was studied during procedures on 90 patients; 89 patients underwent coronary artery angioplasty and one patient underwent diagnostic angiography. The success rate for angioplasty was 95% with no major complications. Mild pressure damping occurred in 18 patients, and mild catheter displacement from the left main coronary artery occurred in 24 patients. Catheter support was judged as excellent to very good in 82 patients. Judkins or Amplatz catheters were not required during this study. The observed disadvantages of the long-tip catheter were the risk of catheter buckling up during advancement into the left main coronary artery and, perhaps, a higher risk of pressure damping. Superselective engagement of the catheter in the left anterior descending or circumflex arteries may be a problem when the left main coronary artery is very short. This study showed the long-tip catheter to be safe and highly successful for angioplasty of the left coronary artery.     

Feasibility of the PCI through 6F diagnostic catheters.

BACKGROUND: The choice of guiding catheter for optimal back-up support is critical in order to achieve a successful PCI. Diagnostic 6 French (F) catheters have an internal lumen diameter as large as 5F guiding catheters. The aim of this study was to demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of performing PCI with Cordis 6F diagnostic catheters in selected coronary lesions. METHODS: 32 coronary stents were implanted using 6F diagnostic catheters in 27 eligible patients at the Montreal Heart Institute. The inclusion criteria were TIMI angiographic score < B2 in native coronary arteries or in coronary artery bypass grafts. Bifurcations and left main disease were not included. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of the patients underwent PCI for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). PCI was performed in 5 lesions (19%) of the left coronary circulation; in 21 lesions (78%) of the right coronary artery and in one lesion (4%) of the 1st obtuse marginal branch of the circumflex artery, through a left mammary artery bypass. Only stents suitable for 5F guiding catheters were used. The largest stent was 4.0 mm in diameter and 32 mm in length. Direct stenting was performed in 75% of patients. The angiographic success for PCI of target lesions was 100%, without clinical or angiographic complications. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases, diagnostic 6F catheters can be used for PCI with 5F compatible balloons and stents. PCI via a diagnostic catheter may provide even better back-up support and allows for significant resources and time savings, especially in patients with ACS.     

Directional coronary atherectomy in a distal right coronary lesion using a shorter standard guide catheter

An ulcerated and eccentric distal right coronary artery plaque was found in a 56-year-old male with post-infarction angina. The 100 cm length of present DVI (Devices for Vascular Intervention, Inc., Redwood City, CA) atherectomy guiding catheters limits the ability to reach many complex distal stenoses with the 125 cm Simpson Atherocath. After shortening the proximal portion of a standard DVI Judkins right guiding catheter without changing the distal contour, successful directional coronary atherectomy was performed. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Clinical application of a new palmaz-schatz coronary stent delivery system with a short (8 mm) nonarticulated stent

The standard Palmaz-Schatz coronary stent delivery system (SDS), with a 15 mm articulated stent and a 5F protective sheath, is relatively rigid and high in profile. Its use is contraindicated in vessels where there is severe tortuosity proximal to or in the lesion itself. Recently a new SDS, with a short (8 mm) nonarticulated stent, has become available. We present three patients with complex coronary anatomy solved with this new SDS. The first patient had a distal stenosis in an extremely tortuous and diffusely diseased right coronary artery (RCA). The second patient had a severe proximal RCA stenosis occurring at a bend of more than 90 degrees. The third patient had a very long stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery involving the ostium, requiring multiple tandem stenting. The availability of this short stent will greatly expand the clinical application of intracoronary stenting to patients with complex coronary anatomy.     

Coronary artery perforation into the upper gastrointestinal cavity due to gastric ulceration

An 82-year-old man who had previously undergone a proximal gastrectomy with jejunal interposition surgery for stomach cancer was transferred to our hospital for massive hematemesis and hypotension. His electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in lead ΙΙ, ΙΙΙ, aVF, which confirmed inferior myocardial infarction. Due to active hematemesis, upper endoscopy was performed initially. A visible vessel of gastric ulceration was discovered, and hemostasis was achieved using hemoclips. Subsequently, coronary angiography was performed since the right coronary artery (RCA) segment 4 atrioventricular (AV) was occluded. After thrombectomy and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), 2.0 mm balloon angioplasty was done, and coronary perforation occurred. During coronary angiography, extravasation of the contrast material into the gastrointestinal cavity was noted. A covered stent was placed across segment 3 to segment 4 descending posteriorly (PD) to stop the blood supply to the perforation site of segment 4 AV. After stenting, adequate re-hemostasis was achieved. The patient was discharged after 28 days. This is the first report of a coronary artery perforation into the gastrointestinal cavity.     

Improved stability and visualization during coronary artery angioplasty using a double catheter technique

Guiding catheters used in coronary angioplasty can make coronary angioplasty potentially hazardous when they become positionally unstable, induce myocardial ischemia, or impair angiographic visualization. In order to avoid this problem, a double catheter technique was employed in seven patients involving nine procedures consisting of a standard 8 or 9 French angioplasty guiding catheter and a standard 7 French angiographic catheter to prevent coronary flow reduction and to permit improved coronary artery visualization. In two of the procedures, the second diagnostic catheter also permitted the prevention of potential plaque disruption by the guide catheter in the proximal right coronary artery. The predilatation stenosis was 88 +/- 12%; the postdilatation stenosis was 28 +/- 9%. The use of the diagnostic catheter as a second catheter prevented damping and permitted the stable disengagement of the guiding catheter from the coronary artery. This technique is most useful in patients who have proximal right coronary artery stenoses because it provides optimal visualization of the segment undergoing dilatation, avoids the potential for ischemia in more distal stenoses, and thereby allows the procedure to be performed in a controlled, unhurried manner.     

Two years experience of a simple technique of precise ostial coronary stenting

Objective: To evaluate a new technique of precise ostial coronary stenting without relying solely on angiography. Background: Precise stent positioning at ostial coronary stenosis is difficult because angiography may not be able to profile the coronary ostium, due to vessel overlap and/or foreshortening. This problem is compounded by bobbing or to and fro movement of the stent with cardiac contraction. Methods: A new technique of precise ostial stenting not dependant on angiography was utilized. A guidewire in a side branch was threaded through the most proximal stent cell and the stent was advanced into the target vessel until it was stopped at the carina. The stent was deployed and the side guidewire withdrawn. All results were documented by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Results: From October 2005 to October 2007, 58 patients with significant ostial coronary stenosis required stenting. Seventeen patients were treated in the conventional manner and the remaining 41 patients with the new technique. The ostial locations included 8 left main, 25 left anterior descending, 3 circumflex, 1 obtuse marginal, 3 right coronary, and 1 posterior descending artery. Success, as confirmed by IVUS, was achieved in 40 patients (97.6%). Failure occurred in a right coronary ostial stenosis, which was subsequently treated by the conventional method. There were no complications. Conclusion: This new technique is highly successful in cases of difficulty in stenting ostial stenosis guided solely by conventional angiography. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fractional flow reserve for the assessment of complex multivessel disease in a patient after hybrid coronary revascularization

We present a case of a 43‐year‐old woman with history of hybrid coronary revascularization [endoscopic atraumatic coronary artery bypass (ACAB)] of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and stent implantation in right coronary artery (RCA), who presented 6 years later with recurrent atypical angina. Coronary angiography revealed patent LIMA to LAD and RCA stent, with a new lesion in an obtuse marginal artery and significant progression of disease in the proximal/mid LAD proximal to LIMA touchdown. To further evaluate the hemodynamic significance of these new disease segments, the patient underwent fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment of the left coronary system with subsequent stent implantation in the proximal/mid LAD. This case illustrates (1) the critical value of FFR assessment in determining the ischemia provoking lesions in this post ACAB patient with complex multivessel coronary artery disease; and (2) the accelerated progression of atherosclerosis in bypassed segments as compared to segments proximal to stents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Early experience of transluminal coronary angioplasty (TCA) by the brachial artery (the sones technique in transluminal angioplasty)

Sixteen translumlnal coronary angioplasty procedures (TCA), eight right coronary artery (RCA) and eight left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), by the brachial artery cut-down approach, were attempted with 9/16 (56%) immediate successes and 2/16 (12%) early recurrences. The procedure success rate for RCA obstructive lesions, 6/8 (75%) was greater than for LCA obstructions, 3/8 (38%). In six unsuccessful procedures the balloon catheter could not be advanced into the lesion, and in one unsuccessful procedure dissection of the coronary artery proximal to the lesion occurred. The brachial (Sones) technique for transluminal coronary angioplasty permits the use of softer guiding catheters for selective probing and approach to the coronary lesion but may be more likely to induce coronary spasm. Complete and high-resolution pre TCA anglograms with multiple views to disclose the exact anatomy of the coronary artery and Its lesion Is essential to ensure successful dilatation.     

Derivation and validation of a new angiographic score of right coronary artery perfusion

A semi-quantitative right coronary artery score (RCA score)was derived from the ratio of the number of the major left ventricularbranches of the right coronary artery to the total of the rightcoronary and left circumflex arteries, to stratify the extentof perfusion in patients with right coronary artery dominance.Thirty-seven patients with one-vessel coronary disease involvinga dominant right coronary artery proximal to the left ventricularbranches were selected for study. Thallium scintigraphy wasperformed after right intracoronary injection in 11 patients,and 26 patients underwent conventional stress thallium scintigraphy(24 exercise thallium and two dipyridamole thallium scintigraphy).Thallium scores of perfusion region size after right intracoronarythallium injection and perfusion defect size in stress thalliumstudies were quantitated from planar thallium images. Both theRCA score and the regional thallium scores spanned over a widerange. The RCA score (range 0.23–0.85) correlated best with theposterior (70;° left anterior oblique view) plus lateralsegment (40° left anterior oblique view) thallium score(r = 0.88 and 0.53 for intracoronary and stress thallium studiesrespectively). It also correlated with the summed thallium scoresin the posterior, lateral, apical and inferior segments (r =0.73 and 0.54 respectively) but not with thallium scores inthe apex or inferior segment alone. The proposed RCA score quantitates the variable posterolateralperfusion territory of the right coronary artery, and couldstratify the area of myocardium at risk from coronary stenosisin the majority of patients with right coronary dominance.