Coronary angioplasty performed using the FullFlow mechanical dilatation-perfusion catheter: initial animal experience.

We report our initial experience with an animal model, using a new mechanical catheter-based dilatation system, the FullFlow (FF) catheter. The primary purpose of this study was to compare coronary flow achieved using the FF perfusion catheter and a traditional balloon angioplasty perfusion catheter. Baseline average peak velocity (APV) measurements were obtained using the FloWire Doppler guide wire. Either a Surpass Perfusion balloon (PB) or an FF catheter was advanced to a coronary segment. Doppler measurements were made before, during, and after full device expansion. Simultaneous heart rate, EKG, and blood pressure readings were recorded. Significant 36.1% and 29% reductions in mean APV were found for PB when comparing baseline to device-up measurements and when comparing device-down to device-up measurements, respectively. In contrast, significant 12.2% and 18.5% increases were seen in mean APV for the FF. No significant differences were found in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or ST-segment changes. The FF system produces superior downstream coronary perfusion with side-branch coronary patency compared with results using a contemporary perfusion balloon angioplasty catheter.