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.     

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty through six French catheters

We present the results of 221 coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures in which a 6 French diagnostic catheter was chosen as a guiding catheter. A total of 218 were done through a femoral and 3 through an axillary approach. Total occlusion PTCA was done in 9 (4%) and multivessel PTCA in 19 procedures (9%). In 191 (86%) procedures a fixed-wire system was used (ACE Scimed, Probe USCI, Orion Cordis), and in 30 (14%) a monorail system (Speedy Schneider, Express Scimed). The mean nominal inflated balloon diameter was 2.9+/-0.3 mm (range 2.0-4.0), and the catheter internal lumen varied between 0.041 and 0.055 inch. In 186 procedures (84%) all targeted lesions could be successfully dilated through the 6 French catheter. In 30 (14%) patients, the guiding catheter was changed to a 7 or 8 French, for an overall success rate of 95%. Results with 6 French catheters were significantly better in our late experience (success rate of 92% for the last 110 procedures compared to 77% for the first 111 procedures) (p less than 0.01). There were no new Q-wave myocardial infarctions, but 6 patients (2.7%) had moderate CK elevation, 1 required emergent bypass surgery, 1 underwent emergent coronary stenting, and there was 1 in-hospital death. The overall major complication rate was 3.2%. In selected patients, PTCA can be safely and effectively done through a diagnostic 6 French guiding catheter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Through 5 French Diagnostic Catheters

In 130 patients, coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with fixed wire balloons through 5 French (F) diagnostic catheters was performed immediately following diagnostic coronary angiography. Patients with complex lesions or in whom the need for alternative devices was likely such as stents were excluded. A total of 151 lesions were attempted. Primary success with 5F systems was achieved in 92% of lesions. In 7 cases, the 5F system failed to cross the stenosis and a change to a larger guiding catheter was necessary. Of these 7 cases, 6 could be dilated successfully with 6 or 7F systems. In one patient in whom the fixed wire balloon was not able to cross a subtotal stenosis of an obtuse marginal branch through the 5F catheter, a Monorail system through a 6F guiding catheter failed as well. The overall technical success rate was 96%. Cardiac complications occurred in 2% of patients (3 patients with Q-wave myocardial infarction). Two other patients (1.5%) with suboptimal PTCA results underwent bypass surgery. PTCA through small diagnostic catheters is a valid alternative technique in selected patients. It is safe and leads to high success rates. Advantages of this technique include 1) less peripheral and coronary trauma; 2) enhanced patient comfort; 3) economical advantages.     

Coronary angioplasty through a new 6 french guiding catheter

Coronary angioplasty through smaller-diameter guiding catheters using predominantly fixed-wire balloon systems has been possible, but has had some limitations. The purpose of this prospective, nonrandomized study was to investigate the results of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty using a new 6F guiding catheter with over-the-wire balloon systems. Coronary angioplasty using over-the-wire balloon systems through a new 6F guiding catheter was evaluated in 79 lesions in 70 patients and then compared to randomly selected procedures using 7F guiding catheters in 70 patients performed over the same time period. Coronary angioplasty through 6F guiding catheters and over-the-wire balloons including 8 long (30-mm) and 3 perfusion balloons was successful in 94.9% of lesions and in 94% of patients. Coronary angioplasty through 7F guiding catheters was successful in 97.5% of lesions and in 97.1% of patients, respectively. Success rates between 6F and 7F guiding catheter groups were similar overall and for proximal, mid, distal, or complex (total, subtotal, or length > 10-mm) lesions. There were no failures to withdraw the deflated balloon into the 6F guiding catheter. Vessel opacification after dilatation with the guidewire across the lesion was similar between the 6F and 7F guiding catheter groups. The mean change in hematocrit for the 6F procedures (?1.4±3.7%) was significantly lower than for the 7F procedures (?3.3±3.2%, P<0.001). Coronary angioplasty using a variety of over-the-wire balloon catheters through a new 6F guiding catheter is feasible with success rates comparable to 7F guiding catheters. Angioplasty with this 6F guiding catheter reduces procedural blood loss compared to larger-lumen guiding catheters. © 1994 Wiley-Liss,Inc..     

Coronary angioplasty using an autoperfusion balloon catheter through a 6 french guiding catheter

Use of 6 French guiding catheters for elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has been limited by lack of a compatible autoperfusion balloon catheter for management of complications such as acute vessel closure and large subintimall dissections. We describe the successful use of a lower profile autoperfusion balloon catheter through large internal lumen 6F guiding catheters for elective coronary angioplasty. These cases demonstrate the feasibility of the use of autoperfusion balloon catheters with 6F guiding catheters in elective, and presumably also in emergent, settings. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Randomized evaluation of six French Voda-type guiding catheters for left coronary artery balloon angioplasty

In order to evaluate 6 French (6F) Voda-type guiding catheters for left coronary artery balloon angioplasty, we randomized the choice of the guiding catheter in 100 consecutive patients between a Voda (group 1, n = 50) and a Judkins or Amplatz curve (group 2) guiding catheter. Angioplasty success rate (98% for both), need for guiding catheter crossover exchange (2 in group 1 vs. 1 in group 2), fluoroscopy time, and volume of injected contrast were similar in both groups, but the operator's appreciation of good back-up support was better with the Voda-type guiding catheter (90% vs. 74%, P < 0.05). No complications attributed to the guiding catheter were noted in either group. Efficiency of the Voda-type guiding catheter appeared similar for both left anterior descending (n = 35, success rate 100%) and circumflex (n = 18, success rate 94%) coronary artery angioplasty. Voda-type guiding catheters are an efficient and safe approach to routine left coronary angioplasty. They appear to be as effective as a choice bewtween a Judkins or an Amplatz configuration and could be of particular use when a double angioplasty of the left anterior descending and circumflex arteries is attempted during the same procedure. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

经桡动脉行复杂冠状动脉病变的介入治疗

目的探讨经桡动脉行复杂冠状动脉病变介入治疗的可行性。方法将178例左主干开口病变、分叉病变、慢性闭塞病变、长度≥30mm的长病变、纡曲成角病变及严重钙化病变等复杂冠状动脉病变患者经桡动脉途径进行PCI。结果经桡动脉PCI完成率97.2%。因导引导管支撑力不够,采用双导丝技术18例,采用子母导管技术5例,微导管技术6例,锚技术3例。左主干开口病变8处即刻全部成功。左主干分叉病变双支架置入17例,单支架置入9例。其他分叉病变67处,单支架置入47处,双支架置入20处。双支架置入后对吻球囊扩张成功率100%。34处慢性闭塞病变PCI成功27处。长度≥30mm的长病变91处、纡曲成角病变23处、严重钙化病变27处全部PCI成功。术中支架内血栓2例,住院期间亚急性血栓形成2例。死亡1例。穿刺处并发症:桡动脉闭塞8例,前臂肿胀4例,无血肿及神经损伤。结论经桡动脉途径进行冠状动脉复杂病变的PCI有较高的成功率。     

New guiding catheter configuration for aortocoronary vein graft angioplasty

A new family of four guiding catheters (8 French and 9 French) has been developed for angioplasty of aortocoronary vein grafts and native coronary arteries beyond vein graft insertions. In 67 consecutive grafts and native vessels dilated through the grafts in 54 patients, the procedural success rate was 97%. The G-1 standard catheter was employed for the majority of the procedures (66%), but the G-3 catheter was better for high anterior grafts and the G-4 catheter was better for high left grafts. The G-2 catheter was better for lower right grafts, especially in dilated aortas. Balloon angioplasty alone using 8 French catheters was performed in 60 procedures, and excimer laser with adjunctive balloon angioplasty using 9 French catheters was performed in 7 procedures. These unique guiding catheters provide an attractive alternative to existing vein graft guides by their improved seating and backup support. They may be the primary choice for vein graft angioplasty and may have future application in stent deployment and transluminal extraction catheter (TEC) atherectomy.     

Probe, a balloon wire: initial experience

Coronary angioplasty is unsuccessful in less than 3-5% of cases because the balloon catheter fails to follow a guidewire that has traversed a lesion. Between June 1986 and August 1987, 31 lesions were unable to be crossed with at least two standard angioplasty catheters. Finally, a 2.0-mm-diameter Hartzler LPS (ACS) was utilized and successfully crossed and dilated 16 out of 31 lesions (52%). In the remaining 15 lesions, the Probe (USCI) 2.0 mm diameter x 1.5 cm long balloon wire was able to cross the lesions in 13 (82%) and successfully dilated 12. In one case, lesion rigidity prevented the balloon from expanding at 14 atm. A right coronary artery lesion was attempted in 11 cases, and a left anterior descending and circumflex artery lesion in two patients each. No complications were encountered. In seven out of 12 successful Probe cases, a larger balloon catheter was used to further dilate the artery. This new balloon wire has increased our success rate in severe stenoses and in tortuous vessels with severe distal lesions, in which presently available angioplasty equipment has failed.     

Clinical experience with the Monorail balloon catheter for coronary angioplasty

The Monorail balloon catheter is distinctly different from other current balloon catheters: the guidewire passes through the balloon itself, exits the catheter proximal to the balloon, and runs alongside its small shaft (3 French) through the guiding catheter. Monorail coronary angioplasty was attempted in 61 patients on 73 lesions with balloons from 2.0 to 3.7 mm. Angiographic success was obtained in 66 lesions (90%). For 15 lesions, balloon exchanges were needed. In three lesions, the Monorail balloon failed to cross the lesion, while a standard balloon succeeded; two lesions could not be crossed with any balloon. Vessel occlusion occurred in four patients: two had emergency surgery without infarct (one died suddenly 4 days later and one had a stroke 1 day later), one was recanalized with a standard balloon, and one had a myocardial infarct. Continuous infusion of urokinase was used until patient 3 in whom problems with the delivery system led to cardiocerebral air embolization (with complete recovery). No thrombotic complications were observed in the subsequent 58 patients with only a bolus of 10,000 U of heparin. The Monorail balloon facilitates contrast injections and balloon exchanges but appears more difficult to pass through tight lesions. Omission of the previously recommended infusion with a thrombolytic agent proved safe.     

Coronary angioplasty with 7F guiding catheters

The performance of 7F guiding catheters for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was investigated in 300 patients. A total of 233 patients had single-vessel PTCA and 67 had multivessel PTCA. Angioplasty was attempted for 371 lesions (141 [38%] in the left anterior descending, 124 [33%] in the right coronary artery, and 95 [26%] in the left circumflex coronary artery or their branches; 10 [3%] in a bypass graft, and one in the left main stem). The mean degree of stenosis was 86 +/- 11% (range 60% to 100%). The monorail technique was used in 83%, and balloon-on-a-wire devices were used in 6% of cases. The balloon sizes varied between 2.0 and 4.25 mm. There was a 98% technical success rate for the 325 nontotal lesions. Five could not be crossed with the wire. Exchange to an 8F guiding catheter was done in four cases (1.2%) and yielded success in two of them. In 46 occlusions the success rate was 72%. Nine were failures due to an inability to cross the wire, another two were balloon failures, and in two cases the residual stenosis was greater than 50%. The mean residual stenosis of successful cases was 24 +/- 18%. Overall, the primary success rate was 95%. The complications were: in-hospital death in five patients (1.7%); infarction in 12 (4%); emergency bypass surgery in one; and significant inguinal hematoma in five (1.7%). Coronary angioplasty through 7F guiding catheters yields a high success rate with less coronary wedging and a smaller puncture hole.     

Probe™, a balloon wire: Initial experience

Coronary angioplasty is unsuccessful in <3–5% of cases because the balloon catheter fails to follow a guidewire that has traversed a lesion. Between June 1986 and August 1987, 31 lesions were unable to be crossed with at least two standard angioplasty catheters. Finally, a 2.0-mm-diameter Hartzler LPS (ACS) was utilized and successfully crossed and dilated 16 out of 31 lesions (52%). In the remaining 15 lesions, the Probe^TM (USCI) 2.0 mm diameter × 1.5 cm long balloon wire was able to cross the lesions in 13 (82%) and successfully dilated 12. In one case, lesion rigidity prevented the balloon from expanding at 14 atm. A right coronary artery lesion was attempted in 11 cases, and a left anterior descending and circumflex artery lesion in two patients each. No complications were encountered. In seven out of 12 successful Probe^TM cases, a larger balloon catheter was used to further dilate the artery. This new balloon wire has increased our success rate in severe stenoses and in tortuous vessels with severe distal lesions, in which presently available angioplasty equipment has failed.     

Initial experience with the Europass™: A new ultra-low profile monorail balloon catheter

One of the causes for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) failure is the inability to cross the lesion with the balloon catheter after guidewire positioning. The Europass? coronary angioplasty catheter is a monorail Duralyn? balloon catheter developed to enhance lesion crossability and to overcome this limitation. This system was evaluated in 50 patients in which target lesions were chronic total coronary occlusions (12 cases) or stenoses that could not be reached or crossed by other new monorail balloon catheters. Overall procedural success was obtained in 49/50 patients (98%), using a single Europass? balloon catheter in 46/50 patients (92%), with no in-hospital complications. Its low profile, small distal shaft, and excellent trackability allowed successful angioplasty in cases where other catheters failed. This balloon catheter represents a significant advance in angioplasty technology and can be considered as a first-choice device for a safe and expeditious single-operator procedure. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

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.     

Successful stent delivery through 5 French guiding catheter

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In vessels with moderate-severe tortuosity, rigidity or calcium, 6 French guiding catheters may be of help in stent delivering, allowing a deep coronary intubation and, hence, an easier coronary stent advancement. In this study, we describe our experience in coronary stenting using 5 French guiding catheters. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population is constituted by 46 patients in whom coronary stenting was attempted through a 5 French guiding catheter. Sixty-six stents were delivered in 56 vessels; the 5 French Zuma guiding catheter (MedtronicAVE, Minneapolis, Minnesota) was used. In 74% of cases, a moderate-severe tortuosity was present, and calcium was visible by fluoroscopy in 27%. The stented lesions were de novo in 95%, and 42% of stents were placed in the right coronary artery. The stent was successfully delivered and implanted in all but one case (98.5%). In one patient with severe vessel tortuosity, a successful balloon dilation was performed, but the stent could not be successfully advanced through the coronary artery to the left anterior descending, and could be retrieved without any complication. Changing to a larger size guiding catheter was not required in any patient. Balloon predilation was performed before coronary placement in 41 of the 66 stents (62.1%), whereas stents were directly implanted without balloon predilation in the remaining 25 cases (37.9%). CONCLUSION: Coronary stenting through 5 French guiding catheters is feasible. This strategy may be especially indicated in patients with moderate-severe vessel tortuosity.     

The kissing balloon technique with two over-the-wire balloon catheters through a single 8-French guiding catheter

Some of the newer over-the-wire coronary angioplasty catheters have shaft sizes of 3.0 French (F) or less. The inner diameter of modern 8-F guiding catheters is large enough to accommodate two of such balloon catheters. We report a kissing balloon procedure with two over-the-wire catheters through a single 8-F guiding catheter.     

应用5F引导导管经桡动脉行冠状动脉介入治疗

目的 评价应用5F引导导管经桡动脉行冠状动脉(冠脉)介入治疗(PCI)的可行性、安全性及优越性，探讨其应用策略。方法 应用5F引导导管经桡动脉对120例患者的166处病变进行PCI，桡动脉穿刺成功后动脉鞘内注入维拉帕米5mg，根据造影显示冠脉起始段和病变近端的情况选择合适引导导管，按常规进行PCI操作；术后立刻拔出鞘管，加压包扎穿刺处，4h后解除加压包扎；术后仅限制患者穿刺侧上肢活动。结果 右冠脉(RC)病变43例中有67．4％应用Judkins RC导管(JR)，32．6％应用Amplatz导管。92例患者的121处左冠脉(LC)病变，66．3％应用Judkins LC导管，18．5％应用EBU导管，15．2％应用Amplatz LC导管。2例静脉旁路病变均应用JR。PCI成功率97％；5处(3％)仅行经皮冠脉成形术未成功；并发症仅有1例(0．8％)桡动脉闭塞，但不影响手部供血。结论 应用5F引导导管经桡动脉行PCI具有可行性，由于导管细软，大大降低冠脉和穿刺部位的并发症，具有很高的安全性和优越性；但操作难度较大，需掌握导管的选用策略，以增加导管的支持力和同轴性，提高成功率。     

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.     

Coronary angioplasty with second generation Monorail catheters

The Monorail system (Schneider) consists of a balloon catheter in which the guidewire passes through the balloon itself, exits the catheter proximal to the balloon, and runs alongside its small shaft (3 French) through the length of the guiding catheter. It offers distinct advantages over conventional systems of coronary angioplasty. It facilitates contrast injections and permits rapid balloon exchanges. This system was used for coronary angioplasty in 273 unselected consecutive patients (age 59 +/- 10, mean 35 to 73 years). There were 216 patients (84%) undergoing single-vessel and 57 patients (16%) with multi-vessel coronary angioplasty. A total of 335 coronary stenoses were dilated, which included 35 total occlusions. The size of balloon used ranged from 2.0 to 4.25 mm (3.0 +/- 0.5 mm) and the severity of stenosis was 85 +/- 11%. Technical success was defined as a residual stenosis of less than 50% as determined angiographically. Clinical success was defined as technical success, and absence of a major inhospital complication defined as absence of myocardial infarction, lack of need for coronary arterial bypass surgery, and survival. The Monorail system was technically successful in 294/300 stenotic lesions (98%). It was clinically successful for 281 lesions (94%). Of the 35 total occlusions, technical success was obtained in 25 (71%). The residual stenosis of successful cases was 26 +/- 21%. The Monorail system was also successful in 5 patients with stenosis of more than 90% in whom conventional systems failed. The complications included acute occlusion causing acute myocardial infarction in 13 cases (5%), emergency coronary arterial bypass surgery in 1 patient (0.4%), and death in 4 patients (1.5%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

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。