Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026
07:17
Author Spotlight: A Novel Standardized Technique for Real-Time Biomedical Imaging of Acute Myocardial Injury
Published on: March 22, 2024
1.8K
Balloon-Assisted Microdissection "BAM" Technique for Balloon-Uncrossable Chronic Total Occlusions
Minh N Vo, Georgios Christopoulos, Dimitri Karmpaliotis
1Dallas VA Medical Center (111A), 4500 South Lancaster Road, Dallas, TX 75216 USA. esbrilakis@gmail.com.
The Journal of Invasive Cardiology
|April 1, 2016
Summary
Balloon-assisted microdissection (BAM) is a safe and effective technique for treating balloon-uncrossable coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs). This simple method facilitates crossing complex lesions, offering a valuable first-line option for challenging CTO interventions.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Procedural failure in coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) intervention often results from inability to cross occluded segments with a balloon.
- The balloon-assisted microdissection (BAM) technique was evaluated for its safety and efficacy in treating these challenging lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and efficacy of the BAM technique for balloon-uncrossable coronary chronic total occlusions (CTOs).
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 17 patients who underwent BAM for balloon-uncrossable CTOs between January 2012 and February 2015.
- Analysis of clinical and angiographic characteristics and procedural outcomes at two experienced CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centers.
Main Results:
- BAM was performed on 17 patients with complex balloon-uncrossable CTOs (mean J-CTO score 2.6).
- Overall procedural success was 94%, with BAM facilitating success in approximately 50% of cases.
- No major complications were reported; most BAM failures were successfully treated with additional techniques.
Conclusions:
- Balloon-assisted microdissection (BAM) is a simple, inexpensive, and safe technique for crossing balloon-uncrossable CTOs.
- BAM can be considered a first-line treatment option for complex balloon-uncrossable CTO lesions.
