Efficacy and Safety of Perfusion Balloon Catheter Use as Initial Balloon in Coronary Angioplasty

In this study, we investigated the balloon angioplasty -related procedural success and complications in patients in whom perfusion balloon catheter (PBC) with low-profile has been used as the initial balloon catheter. The study population included 30 PBC patients (average age 53.8 ± I 0.37 years). Twenty-four patients (80%) had unstable angagina. The vessels dilated were LAD in 47%. RCA in 50% and LCX in 3%. The mean % diameter stenosis was 92±7.36%. Lesion morphology was: Typc A 13%; Type B1 17%; Type B2 60%; Type C 10%. 73% of the lesions were thrombotic. The mean total inflation time was 13.58±7.19 min, total number of inflation was 2.87± 1.25, mean and maximum pressures applied, respectively, were 5. 16±0.88 and 5.92± 1.33 atm . Angiographic success rate was found to be 97%. Except 1 acute myocardial infarction (3%). there was no other major cardiac event (death or emergency coronary artery bypass surgery). Two dissections (7%) and 2 side branch occlusions (7%) were encountered. In conclusion, when the cost of other stratejies such as stenting, directional or rotational coronary atheroctomy and transluminal extraction catheter technology are also taken into account, the use of the PBC as the initial one in dilating high risk lesions (more irregular, stenotic and/or thrombotic) seems safe and efficacious.