NEW GUIDING CATHETER FOR TRANSRAD PTCA

a maw guiding catheter for PTCA is described. In our department, 302 p atients (405 lesions) underwent transradial coronary angioplasty using the 6 Fr Kimny guiding catheter since January 1996, The total engagem ent rate using the Kimny guiding catheter was 91.3% (307/405). The eng agement rate after the modified Kimny guiding catheter was introduced in May 1996 increased to 96.0% (245/253), The stent delivery success r ate was 98.4%. We had two dislodged stents, PTCA for both left and rig ht coronary arteries in a single procedure with the Kimny guiding cath eter was performed via the radial artery in 27 patients, an 24 of thes e patients (89%) we engaged both coronaries successfully, In the remai ning 3 patients we switched to another catheter. Except for 4 patients with non-Q-wave myocardial infarction, no major cardiac complications were encountered, No major entry site-related complications were seen , and no patient required vascular surgery or blood transfusions. In o ne patient the Kimny guiding catheter tip caused a minor dissection of the LMT, but no ischemic event occurred as a result. In conclusion, t he Kimny device is a useful PTCA guiding catheter for routine angiopla sty and stenting. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.