The interventional cardiologist is faced with an expanding armamentarium for performing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Because of rapid advances in technology, new devices are produced on a regular basis, making it difficult to maintain a working knowledge of what is available. Although several excellent textbooks about PTCA have been written, descriptions of available equipment are usually obsolete by the time publication occurs. In order to provide succinct specifications of equipment, we have documented data on balloon catheters, guiding catheters, and guidewires. This information may be useful in the selection of appropriate equipment for PTCA procedures. In addition, the publication of such data in a monthly periodical may provide a more current overview of equipment; information may be occasionally updated as new equipment is released.
Guidewire manipulation may be the deciding factor for success in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) A case involving a complex lesion forming an acute angle within the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, which precluded guidewire advancement, is presented. Successful dilatation was achieved after an unusual guidewire maneuver.
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