Predictors of successful PTCA using coronary perfusion balloon catheters

The purpose of this retrospective study was to define clinical, angiographic and procedural predictors of successful PTCA using perfusion balloon catheters (PBC). Age, gender, diabetes, clinical state (stable or unstable angina), coronary vessel, AHA/ACC lesion type, lesion contour, pre-procedural thrombus, percent stenosis, lesion length, balloon size, maximum PBC pressure, and maximum inflation time were analyzed for 207 lesions in 193 successive patients. Unsuccessful results occurred more frequently in patients with unstable angina, pre-PTCA thrombus, and those treated with smaller balloon catheter diameter. Logistical regression analysis identified larger balloon size (odds ratio [OR] = 0.447 [95% confidence interval 0.203, 0.986], p < .05); and absence of thrombus (OR = 2.217 [95% confidence interval 1.066, 4.610], p < .05) as predictors of success. This study suggests that small vessel size, approximated by balloon size selection, and the presence of pre-PTCA thrombus reduces the likelihood of success, especially in the setting of unstable angina. In these cases other percutaneous interventions may be warranted.