5 French guide catheters for percutaneous coronary intervention: a feasibility study in 100 consecutive patients

Percutaneous coronary intervention using smaller-diameter guide catheters may have a favorable impact on groin complications, mobilization time, hospital stay, and contrast use. This prospective registry study assessed the feasibility of routine stent delivery through 5 Fr guide catheters. Of the 100 consecutive patients, 5 Fr guided intervention was attempted in 84 and was successful in all but 2 patients who had chronic complete occlusions. Reasons for not selecting a 5 Fr guide were planned kissing balloons (eight), directional coronary atherectomy (one), and no suitable 5 Fr guide in stock (seven). There was no stent dislodgment, need to change to a larger-caliber guide, or inadequate contrast opacification. When necessary, guide support was achieved by deep-vessel intubation, which was not associated with vascular damage. The only adverse sequelae were non-Q-wave myocardial infarctions in two patients. Coronary artery stenting using 5 Fr guide catheters is feasible and applicable to most patients.