Transradial coronary brachytherapy with the Novoste Beta-Rail system

We report our initial experience in 10 consecutive patients who underwent transradial coronary brachytherapy for in-stent restenosis using a 90Sr/Y source and the Novoste Beta-Rail system. In all patients, procedures were successfully completed using a right transradial approach. We performed the procedures with the Beta-Rail catheter using 7 Fr (Zuma II, Medtronic, MN; n = 5) or 8 Fr (Cordis, Miami, FL; n = 5) guiding catheters. All lesions were successfully dilated and no additional stent was inserted. We used a 40 mm source (n = 3) or a 60 mm source (n = 7) with manual stepping in four cases. In three cases, we did one stepping, and in one case, we did three steppings. The mean dwell time was 195 plus minus 44 sec. The mean delivered dose was 23 +/- 3 Gy at 2 mm distance from the source. No radiation treatment was interrupted. Mean fluoroscopy time was 26 +/- 13 min. Procedural success was achieved in all patients. Three patients had mild CK elevations (< 3 times upper normal limit). All patients were pretreated with clopidogrel (300 mg) and combined treatment with aspirin + clopidogrel is to be continued for at least 1 year. Clinical follow-up up to 3 months has not yielded any complication and all patients have remained free from angina.