Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty using a combined "balloon-on-a-wire" system and exchange guidewire technique.

New balloon-on-a-wire dilation systems allow crossing of severely stenosed coronary arteries owing to their ultra-low profile. However, these systems do not allow for over-the-wire exchange to a larger balloon catheter or insertion of perfusion catheters, should the vessel close abruptly during dilation. Therefore, if the need for such catheters arises, the vessel must be left unprotected during attempts to recross the lesion. We describe a new technique using a combined balloon-on-a-wire system and an exchangeable guidewire, which permits the crossing and dilation of severely stenosed coronary arteries, while at the same time offering vessel protection and balloon catheter exchange.