Recanalization of chronic coronary occlusions using a new hydrophilic guidewire

Chronic total occlusion remains a relative contraindication and the main cause of failure of coronary angioplasty. Previously available hydrophilic guidewires had numerous limitations. The Crosswire™ is a new 0.014" hydrophilic nitinol guidewire which can be accommodated by very-low-profile balloon catheters and has a shapeable and highly radiopaque platinum-iridium coiled tip. This guidewire was used in 55 patients with 56 chronic coronary occlusions in which recanalization by conventional guidewires had failed. Clinical success was 79%. Coronary perforation occurred in two cases, one of them requiring pericardiocentesis for tamponade. These results illustrate the usefulness of this new guidewire in the treatment of chronic total occlusions. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 43:83–90, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.