Performance characteristics of a new shape of guiding catheter for PTCA of the left coronary artery.

The inability to successfully perform angioplasty commonly involves inadequate guiding catheter performance. We evaluated the use of a new left coronary guiding catheter for angioplasty (PTCA) of lesions in both the left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries. The Nesto guide in two different sizes was used in 100 consecutive PTCA cases as a primary catheter. The catheter successfully cannulated the left main coronary artery in 93 patients and PTCA was successfully performed in 85 patients for target lesions at various locations in either or both vessels. Positive features of this new guiding catheter include superior back-up support and ease of disengagement.