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About Safeguarding Cardiac
Guide Wires To Avoid Breakage
During a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
procedure, a guide wire broke inside a patient's coronary artery.
The patient needed surgery to remove the guide wire fragment.
Cardiac guide wires are often used to help place balloon
dilatation catheters during intravascular interventional
procedures, including PTCA. The most common adverse event
associated with guide wires is breakage of the tip or wire, most
commonly because of handling or use error. Other potential adverse
reactions include air embolism, perforation, and infarction.
General guidelines to minimize the risk of breakage:
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Carefully read and follow the product's labeling instructions and
precautions.
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Before the procedure, remove the wire slowly and carefully from
the carrier tube to avoid damaging the distal tip. Check for any
tiny surface bends or scrapes.
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Make sure that the wire size is compatible with the balloon
dilatation catheter.
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Don't try to straighten a bent guide wire.
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To avoid shearing, wires with special coating shouldn't be
withdrawn through a metal needle cannula.
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Always use fluoroscopic guidance when positioning the guide wires.
Never position the guide wire blindly.
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Never reuse or re-sterilize the device.
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(http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/patientsafety/tips/guidewires.html)
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