How to perform distal anchoring technique by 6French radial approach in complex coronary procedures

Abstract

Despite remarkable advances in the interventional landscape, device delivery during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can still present technical challenges especially when performed in complex anatomical settings and through radial approach. To overcome difficult coronary stent delivery, several strategies have been developed. A niche option in such complex cases is the anchoring balloon technique, which involves inflation of a balloon non-coaxially in a side branch or distally to the target lesion in a coaxial fashion, to facilitate stent delivery. However, the main limitation of this technique is the requirement of a large guide catheter (≥7French) which may preclude the use of radial approach. We describe, step-by-step, the distal anchoring ballooning technique performed by a 6Fr radial approach to overcome the stent delivery failure in complex anatomical scenarios and to safely and successfully carry out the PCI procedures.

Keywords: PCI; complex PCI; distal anchoring; radial approach.