New device for wire and catheter capturing: in vivo experiments and first clinical experience.

PURPOSE: A new self-expanding tulip sheath was tested for percutaneous wife capturing in a femoro-femoral pull-through maneuver.

METHODS

In six sheep, a self-expanding tulip sheath was introduced into the right iliac artery. A 5 Fr catheter and an 0.035-inch guidewire were guided into the iliac artery from a left femoral approach. Thirty-six tests were performed to guide the guidewire out of the right groin using the tulip sheath, by catching the catheter first in 18 tests and just by catching the guidewire in the other 18. As a control, six tests were performed using a conventional sheath. We performed one clinical arterial application.

RESULTS

There was prompt capture of the wire in 35 of 36 tests using a self-expanding sheath. Five of six tests using a conventional sheath failed. The clinical application of the tulip principle was successful.

CONCLUSION

Using the self-expanding tulip sheath to facilitate wire capture during pull-through maneuvers, even in difficult situations, is promising.