Comparison of Conventional and Magnum Magnarail Angioplasty Methods in the Treatment of Chronic Total Coronary Artery Occlusion

Angioplasty of chronic total occlusion has lower success and higher restenosis rates when compared with subtotal lesions. This retrospective study was performed to compare the success and complication rates of conventional and magnum magnarail methods in patients who underwent coronary angioplasty for chronic total coronary artery occlusion. The material consisted of 71 patients (65 male, 6 female; mean age 51±9.1 years) with chronic total coronary artery occlusion. Patients with estimated occlusion age more than 3 months and with unfavorable anatomy for angioplasty were excluded from the study. Coronary angioplasties were performed by using the conventional method in 36 patients (37 lesions) and by Magnum Magnarail system in 35 patients (35 lesions). There were no differences between two treatment groups in respect to clinical characteristics (gender, age, stable and unstable angina, previous myocardial infarction) and coronary angiographic findings (diseased vessel and lesion distribution). The procedure was successful in 28 of 37 lesions treated by the conventional method (primary success rate 75.1 %; residual stenosis 18.8±8%). When results of both groups were assessed together, the procedures were successful in 55 of 72 total coronary artery occlusions and mean residual stenosis was found to be 18.1±9%. There were no complications with either method. It is concluded that the results of both the conventional and the Magnum Magnarail angioplasty methods in the treatment of chronic total coronary artery occlusion were similar and that both methods can be safely used in selected patients.