intervention using standard guiding catheters

A b s t r a c t Introduction: Recent studies have reported the efficacy of sheathless percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using hydro-philic-coated 5-Fr guiding catheters that are one to two Fr sizes smaller in diameter than the corresponding introducer sheath (virtual 3-Fr PCI). However, the limited number of shapes of hydrophilic-coated guiding catheters occasionally makes them difficult to engage and control. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of virtual 3-Fr PCI using standard guiding catheters of various shapes