DOUBLE PERFUSION SYSTEM FOR CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY AT THE ORIGIN OF THEMAIN VESSEL

For the treatment of stenosis near the origin of either the left anter ior descending artery or the left circumflex artery, one autoperfusion catheter was used to dilate the lesion while another was used to main tain perfusion of the nonstenosed vessel, which would normally suffer from a decrease in blood flow. This technique was applied to nine proc edures in six patients. The balloon could be inflated for more than 60 sec in all cases. Satisfactory dilation was achieved without a signif icant decrease of systemic blood pressure during the procedure. (C) 19 94 Wiley-Liss, Inc.