title: Mechanical recanalization of total coronary occlusions with the use of a new guide wire.
abstract: The mechanical approach in the recanalization of total coronary occlusions consisted of the use of a new 0.014-inch standard coronary guide wire with jointless spring coil design that improves steering characteristics and tip stiffness. In addition, a 0.014-inch soft tip wire with hydrophilic coating and low-profile 1.5 mm over-the-wire balloons were used. The first wire was used selectively in 86 patients to treat 95 total occlusions, of which 51 (54%) were older than 3 months. Unfavorable angiographic characteristics were present in 79 (83%) of 95 lesions. Overall crossing success was 71% (67 of 95 lesions). Complications were one coronary perforation with cardiac tamponade necessitating emergency bypass surgery. In conclusion, the mechanical approach with the use of the standard coronary guide wire with jointless spring coil design provides a high success rate in the recanalization of unfavorable total occlusions.
authors.affiliation: Columbus Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Reimers
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Camassa
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Mario
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Francesco
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Finci
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colombo
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002305:Cardiac Tamponade / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000293:injuries; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D016896:Treatment Outcome