Application of guidewire capture technique for interventional treatment of acute brachial artery injury

Abstract

Objective To assess the value of guidewire capture technique in interventional therapy of acute brachial artery injury. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 15 cases of acute brachial artery injury who failed the catheterization of the affected brachial artery via the femoral artery at No. 148 Hospital of Chinese People′s Liberation Army from January 2008 to October 2016. A guide wire was inserted into the injured brachial artery after puncturing the radial artery of the affected side successfully. By using guidewire capture technique, a goose neck snare was introduced through the femoral artery, which was pulled out of the body to establish femoral-radial artery passage. Then, balloon dilatation and stent implantation were performed. Results The technique was successful in all the 15 patients. A total of 20 stents were deployed, with only one stent used in ten patients and two stents used in five patients. After stenting, the blood flow of the brachial artery was restored. The patients were followed for 6-36 months (median, 18 months). Stent patency or stent lumen stenosis 50% occurred in one patient, and he was treated by balloon dilation, after which the blood flow returned to normal rapidly. During the follow-up period, no stent displacement, leakage, or fracture occurred, and no amputation surgery was required. Conclusion Guidewire capture technique can significantly improve the treatment success rate in acute brachial artery injury. Key words: Brachial artery; Guide wire capture technique; Interventional therapy; Stent