Activated-guidewire technique for treating chronic coronary artery occlusion

Rees, Michael R
Michalis, Lampros K

School of Postgraduate Medicine, University of Keele, Hartshill, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, UK (Prof M R Rees FRCR, L K Michalis MD)
Correspondence to: Prof Michael R Rees, Department of Clinical Radiology, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, Avon BS2 8HW, UK

The Lancet 346(8980):p 943-944, October 7, 1995.

Coronary angioplasty was successfully carried out with an activated guidewire technique in 33 of 47 patients who had undergone a failed attempt at conventional angioplasty for the treatment of chronic coronary artery occlusion.80 percent of these occlusions were stump-like occlusions. This technique involves the attachment of a hand-held battery-driven motorised device to standard angioplasty equipment and can be used at any time during the procedure. The device generates complex vibratory movement in the guidewire to facilitate crossing of occluded vessels.

Lancet 1995; 346

943-44