Feasibility of guiding catheter exchange using extension wire in percutaneous coronary intervention after transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is technically challenging because of the presence of the transcatheter heart valve (THV), which complicates coronary artery engagement. Owing to their flexibility, diagnostic catheters (DCs) facilitate coronary access, but require subsequent exchange to guiding catheters (GCs) for PCI. The feasibility of using an extension wire (EW) to facilitate DC-to-GC exchange in this context remains unexplored. A retrospective analysis was conducted at our institution, examining 11 PCI cases performed after TAVR between January 6, 2020, and June 1, 2024, in which an EW was employed to transition from a DC to a GC. Clinical, angiographic, and procedural data were reviewed. Procedural success was defined as a successful DC-to-GC exchange and completion of PCI. DC-to-GC exchange using an EW was successfully achieved in all 11 cases (100%). Revascularization was achieved in 10/11 cases (91%). The lesions were uniformly classified as American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Type B2/C. The GCs included Judkins-type in 7/11 cases (64%) and backup-type in 4/11 cases (36%). The THV types included SAPIEN in 6/11 cases (55%), Evolut in 3/11 cases (27%), and Navitor in 2/11 cases (18%). A 6Fr GC was utilized in 10/11 cases (91%), and rotational atherectomy was performed in 1/11 cases (9%). The use of an EW to facilitate the transition from DC to GC in PCI after TAVR resulted in high procedural success, providing a feasible approach for addressing complex lesions and optimizing procedural outcomes.