Guidezilla extension catheter for percutaneous interventional therapy of complex lesions via a transradial approach: Case series from a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Guide catheter extension systems have become one of the most powerful tools for address-ing complex lesions during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), but data on a new-generation rapid exchange extension catheter - the Guidezilla catheter - are limited. Summarized herein reports on experience using the Guidezilla catheter for complex coronary lesions via a transradial approach at the documented institution an evaluation of its safety and efficacy.

METHODS: A total of 25 patients (19 males and 6 females) who underwent PCI via the radial approach with the Guidezilla catheter for adequate back-up support and to facilitate equipment delivery were enrolled. The clinical, angiographic and procedural data of all 26 procedures in 25 patients (1 patient underwent two PCI procedures on different lesions) were collected to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this novel equipment.

RESULTS: The mean age of the enrolled patients was 67.7 ± 8.41 years old. The mean depth of intuba-tion was 27.90 ± 12.23 mm. Stent implantation was successful in 23 out of 26 procedures (88.5%) and failed in 3 cases: 1 case of tortuosity and severe angulation in a chronic total occlusion lesion; 1 case of an existing type B dissection (NHLBI classification system for coronary artery dissection types); and 1 case in which a stent was stripped off its balloon. None of the patients experienced coronary dissection, perforation, air embolism, pressure dampening or other major complications during the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS: The Guidezilla extension catheter is an effective and safe tool that provides improved back-up support and increases the success rate of PCI for complex coronary lesion by radial access.