title: Intraluminal blunt microdissection for angioplasty of coronary chronic total occlusions.
abstract: This study describes a new approach to crossing coronary chronic total occlusions using controlled blunt microdissection and its successful application to coronary angioplasty in three patients. After guidewire techniques failed to cross the occlusions, the blunt intraluminal microdissection catheter was deployed. Actuation of a hinged jaw on the catheter distal assembly created a channel for the guidewire through the diseased segment, in the true lumen (a right coronary and a left circumflex artery) and subintimally (a circumflex artery), to allow angioplasty and stenting. Coronary circulation improved from TIMI grade 0 to 3. Angina was relieved in all three cases. Subsequent angiography for two cases, 2 and 19 months after PTCA, respectively, showed restored flow and patent stented regions.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, St. Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. whitbor@svhm.org.au
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Whitbourn
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cincotta
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mossop
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Selmon
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged