Safety and efficacy of cutting balloon angioplasty: The Mayo Clinic experience

A number of evolving clinical indications for cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA) have been described in the clinical literature, including angioplastyresistant stenoses, in-stent restenosis, ostial lesions and small vessel disease. Methods. We analyzed the Mayo Clinic PTCA registry and report procedural and in-hospital clinical outcomes in 100 patients (103 procedures, 114 lesions) undergoing CBA. Results. CBA was successfully completed in 109 lesions (96%). The majority of lesions (73%) required additional treatment with either balloon angioplasty (39%) or stent implantation (34%). Severe intimal dissection resulting in at least 50% luminal obstruction occurred in 13 lesions (11%). A single incident of branch occlusion was documented, resulting in ST elevation myocardial infarction. There were no incidents of vessel perforation, urgent percutaneous or surgical target vessel revascularization, or in-hospital death. Conclusion. CBA is feasible and safe, with a low incidence of procedural complications and in-hospital adverse cardiac events when used primarily for in-stent restenosis.