RECANALIZATION OF CHRONIC CORONARY OCCLUSIONS USING A NEW HYDROPHILICGUIDEWIRE

Chronic total occlusion remains a relative contraindication and the ma in cause of failure of coronary angioplasty. Previously available hydr ophilic guidewires had numerous limitations, The Crosswire(TM) is a ne w 0.014'' hydrophilic nitinol guidewire which can be accommodated by v ery-low-profile balloon catheters and has a shapeable and highly radio paque platinum-iridium coiled tip, This guidewire was used in 55 patie nts with 56 chronic coronary occlusions in which recanalization by con ventional guidewires had failed, Clinical success was 79%. Coronary pe rforation occurred in two cases, one of them requiring pericardiocente sis for tamponade. These results illustrate the usefulness of this new guidewire in the treatment of chronic total occlusions. (C) 1998 Wile y-Liss, Inc.