A “Grapple Hook” technique using a deflectable tip catheter to facilitate complex proximal circumflex interventions

Use of the Venture catheter to shorten the door-to-balloon time in patients with ST-Segment elevation acute myocardial infarction

Achieving a door-to-balloon time < 90 min may be challenging in patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction with difficult to wire coronary lesions. We report use of the Venture wire control catheter to facilitate wiring in four patients with significant tortuosity proximal to a thrombotic coronary occlusion, after conventional wiring attempts failed. Early use of the Venture catheter may help shorten the door-to-balloon time in patients with challenging to wire lesions.

Use of the venture wire-control catheter for accessing side branches during provisional stenting: an option for bifurcations with an unfavorable anatomy

We report our experience with the Venture wire-control catheter in 20 patients with bifurcation lesions in which it was impossible to access the side branch using conventional techniques. This device was always used as a last resort and was employed during different stages in the treatment of the bifurcation lesions (i.e. initially, after stenting of the main vessel or both). In 17 patients (85%), use of the Venture catheter resulted in the success of the procedure. Only one complication associated with a monorail catheter was recorded. It was resolved successfully. One patient died from heart failure 10 days after the procedure and two patients, in whom it was impossible to access the side branch, had non-Q-wave myocardial infarctions. In conclusion, the Venture catheter was effective and safe, and enabled the side branches of complex bifurcation lesions to be accessed.

The Venture-balloon crush technique to treat a severely angulated bifurcation lesion via the radial approach — Lessons learned

We present the first described use of the Venture (St. Jude Medical Inc.) catheter to accomplish balloon crush stenting of a severely angulated bifurcation via the radial approach. We outline the lessons learned and pitfalls of performing percutaneous intervention to severely angulated bifurcations such as this one.

Novel double catheter technique in complex percutaneous coronary interventions

We present a novel double catheter technique for successful complex intervention of a very old proximal left circumflex chronic total occlusion (>10 years old). Prior attempts of guide wire passage using bare wire alone, over-the wire balloon or microcatheter support techniques were unsuccessful.