Probe™ angioplasty through an intracoronary probing catheter™ in lesions which are difficult to cross

Abstract

The clinical records of the first 17 consecutive patients (20 lesions) in whom percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was done using the ultra-low profile “balloon-on-wire probe™” passed through an intracoronary probing catheter™ were reviewed. All patients had high-grade “difficult” lesions. In 15 lesions (12 patients) other balloon systems (over-the-wire low profile balloons ( n = 9), and balloon-on-wire used alone, ( n = 6) had failed to cross the lesion. Acute ischemia due to complete occlusion at the site of the lesion during attempts to cross was seen in 3 of these patients. The intracoronary probing catheter was used to deliver the probe across the lesion in all these cases. Successful dilatation was achieved in 14 lesions (93%). In 5 lesions (5 patients) this combination was used as the initial strategy. Three of these had chronic total occlusions. Successful dilatation was achieved in 3 lesions (60%) using this combination and in 1 lesion over-the-wire balloon finally succeeded. There was 1 failure. The intracoronary probing catheter in combination with probe balloon wire offers a promising method to increase the success rate in patients with high grade “difficult” lesions. This combination is especially useful in situations where other balloon systems fail to cross the lesion.