Initial clinical application of a novel coronary angioplasty guide catheter exchange device

The initial clinical experience with a novel device designed to facilitate guide catheter exchange during coronary angioplasty while maintaining a secure guidewire position (Marathon Relay, Baxter Interventional Cardiology, Irvine, CA) is described. Over a 7-month period, 23 guide catheter exchanges were attempted during 20 procedures. The angioplasty procedure involved the use of newer devices in 65% of attempts with coronary stent deployment in 50% of attempts. In the majority (57%) of cases, exchanges were performed to allow improved guide catheter support. The exchange procedure was successful in 91% of attempts. Ultimate procedural success was achieved in 95% of patients with no complications. In this early experience, this device was found to be safe and effectively facilitated guide catheter exchange.