Angioplasty without the use of "Y connector": A new, easier, bloodless method

The “Y connector” that is used in angioplasty has the following disadvantages: 1) it is not blood‐tight; 2) we need to “screw and unscrew” every time we want to inject contrast material or measure the pressure; and 3) it does not allow the advancement of the guidewire or the balloon catheter during the injection of contrast material. We created a new type of connection composed of a cut sheath for the femoral artery, connected with a cut (at the “hub”) guiding catheter. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of the new method. Using the new technique we performed plain‐balloon angioplasty, implantation of stent, and atherectomy in 350 patients. The technical success of the method was 100%, and no complications related to the method were seen. In conclusion, the novel connection that we created eliminated all the disadvantages of the “Y connector” and was found to have 100% technical success and safety. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 41:445–448, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.