Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of the mother and child technique using a 4 Fr inner catheter in coronary angioplasty following the failure of conventional techniques.
Methods and results: We identified cases in which a 4 Fr inner catheter had been used to facilitate stent delivery following the failure of conventional techniques. Stent delivery using a 4 Fr inner catheter was performed in 30 cases and was successful in 29 cases. Nineteen cases for RCA, six cases for LAD and five cases for LCx were examined. Direct engagement of a 4 Fr inner catheter was accomplished in eight cases. In the remaining patients, deep engagement of a 4 Fr inner catheter was accomplished with the anchor technique and/or distal balloon deflation technique. Proximal stent delivery followed by distal stent deployment was performed in seven cases by using the distal balloon deflation technique in multiple stent deployment. There were no complications related to deep intubation of a 4 Fr inner catheter.
Conclusions: The use of a 4 Fr inner catheter is safe and highly effective for aiding stent delivery. The anchor technique and/or distal balloon deflation technique could be required for deep engagement of a 4 Fr inner catheter.