Transcollateral retrograde approach with rendezvous technique for recanalization of chronically occluded tibial...

To describe a novel technique using an antegrade wire in a retrograde microcatheter advanced through a transcollateral vessel for recanalization of challenging infrapopliteal chronic total occlusions.

A 75-year-old diabetic man presented with critical limb ischemia manifested as nonhealing ulcers on the toes. Baseline angiography revealed a blunt, long, total occlusion of the anterior tibial artery. A retrograde microcatheter was advanced over a guidewire tracking the collateral channel from the planter artery. Antegrade and retrograde microcatheters were aligned inside the occluded lesion. An antegrade wire was then advanced further down through the retrograde microcatheter. Final angiography of the anterior tibial artery following balloon dilation demonstrated a satisfactory result, without evidence of significant residual stenoses or flow-limiting dissections. Complete wound healing was achieved at 3 weeks.

This alternative wire method may be useful when traditional interventional approaches are unfeasible.