SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ARANI CURVE GUIDING CATHETERS IN PALMAZ-SCHATZ STENTING OF RIGHT CORONARY-ARTERY STENOSIS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of A rani curve guiding catheters in Palmaz-Schatz stenting of right corona ry artery (RCA) stenosis. A total of 15 stents was implanted in 13 rig ht coronary arteries. For stenting of the RCA with marked superior ori entation and shepherd's crook configuration of the proximal segment, a catheter with a 75 degrees primary curve was used. A catheter with a 90 degrees primary curve was usually the best choice for stenting of t he RCA with slight superior, horizontal, or inferior orientation of th e proximal segment. These catheters provided excellent support in 12 o f 13 cases (93%) and resulted in successful stent deployment in these patients. There was one dissection which occurred distal to the stent following poststent balloon dilatation, and which required emergency c oronary artery bypass graft surgery. There were no complications attri buted to these guiding catheters. An extraordinary formation of pseudo stenosis occurred in one patient. We conclude that Arani curve guiding catheters provide strong support and are safe and effective in stenti ng of RCA stenosis. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.