Arterial Revascularization

Procedural Steps

• Access common femoral artery of contralateral leg using micropuncture needle under US
• Advance wire centrally
• Place a 5, 6 or 7 Fr sheath (depending on the potential atherectomy device).

Angiography

• Advance flush catheter over the wire into the aorta.
• Perform AP aortogram - 15 mL/sec for 30 mL.
• Pull flush catheter back into the distal aorta
• Perform iliac artery arteriogram - 10 mL/sec for 20 sec.
• Keep catheter in distal aorta and perform lower extremity runoff arteriography - 8 mL/sec for 80 mL

Evaluate Lesion(s)

• Exchange for a selective catheter and catheterize target artery.
• Position catheter proximal to lesion.
• Administer heparin bolus prior to crossing lesion (2500-5000 U)
• Gently advance guidewire across stenosis.
• If resistance is met - avoid dissection and retract wire. Redirect catheter and readvance wire until successful passage.
• Direct guidewire through central canal of lesion. Advance selective catheter over wire across the lesion
• Angiogram following lesion crossing to confirm position
• Exchange crossing guidewire for a 0.014" guidewire.

Treatment

• Many options from balloon angioplasty to atherectomy
• Introduce atherectomy device over guidewire; perform atherectomy across lesion
• Inject contrast through sheath or catheter to evaluate progress. Determine if further intervention is needed. May need balloon angioplasty, or stent placement if dissection occurs.
• Remove access sheath and close arteriotomy site - closure device or manual pressure.