Novel distal occluder washout method for prevention of no-reflow during stenting of saphenous vein grafts

This study assessed safety of the distal occlusion washout (DOW) method for prevention of no-reflow during stenting of degenerated saphenous vein graf ts (SVGs), The DOW method involves protection of distal native coronary cir culation with an occlusive balloon during the pretreatment and washout step s prior to stenting. Outcomes of stenting of 23 grafts in 21 patients after pretreatment with the DOW method were evaluated. The mean graft age was 7. 4 +/- 4.3 years. The mean treated lesion length was 53 +/- 28 mm. Total occ lusions were treated in 6 grafts and thrombotic lesions in 10 nontotally oc cluded grafts. One non-Q-wave MI and one acute stent thrombosis were observ ed. No deaths, Q-wave Mis, or subacute thromboses occurred. Follow-up in 18 /21 (85.7%) patients at 28 +/- 8 weeks demonstrated target graft revascular ization in 1 (5%) patient. The DOW method prevented clinically significant no-reflow in all 23 degenerated SVGs stented. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent . 47:397-403, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.