Preliminary results utilizing a new percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty balloon catheter.

We report our initial experience with a new percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) balloon catheter and compare it to a similar over-the-wire system in a retrospective, nonrandomized fashion. There was no statistical difference in pre-PTCA angiographic indices and post-PTCA angiographic and clinical success rates between the two groups. There was a trend toward a decrease in length of fluoroscopy (P = .08) and a significant decrease in the amount of contrast utilized (P = .007) with the new balloon catheter. Several new construction features of the new catheter account for this improvement and are discussed. The long-term success of this balloon catheter remains to be investigated.