Left internal mammary artery intervention: the left radial approach with a new guide catheter.

Coronary intervention involving left internal mammary bypass grafts is an increasingly common challenge for the interventionalist. Although successful in a high percentage of patients, the femoral approach may be technically challenging. The shorter, more direct approach from the left radial artery has potential advantages in these cases. The present study evaluated our experience using a new left transradial internal mammary guide catheter. Angiography alone was successfully performed with the catheter in 40 patients. In an additional 10 patients, internal mammary artery interventional procedures were performed. Angioplasty alone was performed in five patients. Five patients underwent coronary stenting within the internal mammary artery or native left anterior descending artery. Guide catheter backup was satisfactory and angioplasty catheters and/or stents could be advanced to the target lesion with minimal difficulty. No procedural complications occurred. The left radial artery access site is an excellent approach for left internal mammary intervention.