title: Coronary angioplasty performed using the FullFlow mechanical dilatation-perfusion catheter: initial animal experience.
abstract: We report our initial experience with an animal model, using a new mechanical catheter-based dilatation system, the FullFlow (FF) catheter. The primary purpose of this study was to compare coronary flow achieved using the FF perfusion catheter and a traditional balloon angioplasty perfusion catheter. Baseline average peak velocity (APV) measurements were obtained using the FloWire Doppler guide wire. Either a Surpass Perfusion balloon (PB) or an FF catheter was advanced to a coronary segment. Doppler measurements were made before, during, and after full device expansion. Simultaneous heart rate, EKG, and blood pressure readings were recorded. Significant 36.1% and 29% reductions in mean APV were found for PB when comparing baseline to device-up measurements and when comparing device-down to device-up measurements, respectively. In contrast, significant 12.2% and 18.5% increases were seen in mean APV for the FF. No significant differences were found in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or ST-segment changes. The FF system produces superior downstream coronary perfusion with side-branch coronary patency compared with results using a contemporary perfusion balloon angioplasty catheter.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C 20037, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Wolinsky
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sunew
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moreyra
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002404:Catheterization; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D012212:Rheology; D013552:Swine