Comparison of magnetically navigated and conventional wire percutaneous coronary intervention of a single discrete stenosis

Objective : The objective of this study is to compare magnetic guidewire navigation in percutaneous coronary intervention (MPCI) to conventional percutaneous coronary intervention (CPCI) for the elective treatment of a single discrete stenosis. Background : Magnetic navigation actively steers an angioplasty wire‐tip and may improve PCI procedures, but it is not known whether the intricacy and increased preparation necessary for using the system negatively influences the performance of simple procedures in terms of time and contrast use. Methods : The procedures of 44 patients (mean age 65 ± 10 year) undergoing elective single vessel MPCI of a single discrete stenosis were matched for age, gender, and lesion location with 44 concurrent patients (mean age 65 ± 10 year) undergoing CPCI. The major endpoint was procedural time. Results : Technical success was defined as an intraluminal wire position distal to the stenosis. Procedural outcome, contrast use, and costs were evaluated. Clinical demographics and angiographic characteristics of the two groups were similar, except for a higher incidence of previous MI and class III angina pectoris in the conventional group. The technical success rate was high and identical in both groups (97.7%). Procedural and fluoroscopy times were not significantly different for MPCI compared to CPCI (21.0 ± 14.5 min vs. 24.7 ± 14.0 min; 4.9 ± 4.8 min vs. 7.3 ± 10.3 min, P = NS). There was a significant reduction in median contrast use [60 ml/patient (41–100) vs. 100 ml/patient (64–130); P = 0.006]. Conclusion : Magnetic navigation does not increase procedural time, irradiation, equipment use, or cost compared to conventional PCI of a single discrete stenosis. It proved feasible, yielding high rates of procedural success with less contrast use. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.