title: Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty Through 5 French Diagnostic Catheters.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head of Cardiology, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Garachemani
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fleisch
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Luscher
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meier