Open‐Ended guidewire: New technique for balloon angioplasty of chronically occluded coronary arteries

Abstract

Chronic total coronary occlusion is a growing indication to percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Since primary success of balloon angioplasty in this condition is usually limited by the difficulty of crossing the occlusion, different techniques have been described for this purpose, such as use of stiff guidewires, coronary infusion catheters, guidewires with an olive-shaped tip, or new developing methods (atherectomy, laser), in association with balloon dilatation. Here, we describe our initial experience with a thick (0.035 in) and relatively stiff open-ended guidewire, which has an inner (0.018 in diameter) lumen provided with a core wire. Several advantages are considered. The core wire yields a perfect means of steerability of the whole system, while pushability of a thicker guidewire is much greater. Moreover, the core wire can be removed, and contrast injections beyond the occlusion through the inner lumen can assure proper intraluminal location. Finally, position across the occlusion can be kept easily, since an exchange wire for conventional balloon catheters can be inserted in the inner lumen of the open-ended guidewire.

Angioplasty of occluded coronary arteries: Use of thin shaft balloon over‐the‐wire system without pre‐dilatation

“…This has included using perfusion cathetedwires [5,6] or small angioplasty balloons [ I ] with both over the wire systems and balloon on a wire systems [7]. Not only is this technically more difficult than using a single balloon system, but it is also more time consuming and costly.…”

Angioplasty of a totally occluded right coronary artery

“…An open-ended guidewire was used successfully by Vassanelli and colleagues [22] to cross two chronically occluded coronary arteries when conventional systems had failed. This device is thick (.035 inch), relatively stiff and has a removable inner core which controls steerability and allows distal contrast injection.…”