Significance of balloon pressure recording during angioplasty. An experimental study

During angioplasty of artificial stenoses, atherosclerotic human cadaver arteries, and normal canine arteries, pressure and volume of the dilatation balloons were continuously recorded. We found that a sudden yield of a lesion corresponded to a sudden drop in the pressure curve and an increase of the balloon volume. Volume monitoring was insensitive, but pressure recording was very precise. Continuous pressure recording, using a non-compliant inflation system, correctly demonstrated small breaks and ruptures of atherosclerotic vessels, changes not seen on fluoroscopy.