title: Feasibility of the PCI through 6F diagnostic catheters.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Montreal Heart Institute, 5000 Belanger, Montreal, Quebec H1T 1C8, Canada.
authors.forename: Pierre-Frédéric
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: Gilbert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gosselin
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grégoire
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guédès
authors.forename: Vitali
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Verin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D002170:Canada; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D015607:Stents; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome