The First-in-Man Technique of Drug Eluting and Perfusion Therapy for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease

Takayuki Warisawa1, Yoshiki Kawai1, Takuya Matsumoto1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, NTT Medical Center Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Insights

A novel kissing balloon technique (W-KBT) using a perfusion balloon and drug-coated balloon proved safe and feasible for treating left main disease (LMD) with ostial LCx lesions. This approach allowed prolonged inflation without hemodynamic instability in a pilot study.

Area of Science:

  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Medical Device Technology

Background:

  • Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for left main disease (LMD) with ostial left circumflex artery (LCx) lesions presents challenges.
  • Concerns exist regarding crossover-stenting from the left main trunk (LMT) to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) using drug-coated balloons (DCB).
  • Isolated DCB treatment may cause carina shift, while conventional kissing balloon techniques (C-KBT) risk prolonged LMT occlusion and hemodynamic instability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and feasibility of a novel double-effect kissing balloon technique (W-KBT).
  • W-KBT utilizes a perfusion balloon (PB) for LMT-LAD and a DCB for LMT-LCx.
  • The technique aims to allow prolonged inflation while maintaining coronary perfusion during PCI for LMD.

Main Methods:

  • A single-center prospective study enrolled consecutive patients with de-novo LMD and ostial LCx lesions.
  • Patients underwent crossover-stenting from LMT to LAD, followed by proximal optimization technique and C-KBT.
  • The novel W-KBT was performed after confirming optimal PCI, using a 7 Fr guiding catheter via a transradial approach.

Main Results:

  • Procedural success was achieved in all 12 enrolled patients (mean age 73.8 years; 91.7% men).
  • W-KBT inflation was maintained for 60 seconds without hemodynamic instability (mean BP change -13.7 mmHg, mean HR change -3.4 bpm).
  • No ST-elevation or need for inotropes/mechanical support was observed; ST changes occurred in 50% but resolved quickly.

Conclusions:

  • The first-in-man W-KBT demonstrated safety and feasibility in this pilot study.
  • The technique allows adequate drug delivery to the ostial LCx lesion.
  • W-KBT offers a promising alternative for complex PCI in left main coronary artery disease.
Abstract