OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety, medium-term and long-term efficacy of transradial percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary artery lesions with 6 French guiding catheter.

METHODSSixty-one patients with unprotected left main coronary artery lesions were treated by 6 French transradial percutaneous coronary intervention between January 2008 and December 2009. The mean age of patients was (66.03 ±10.02)years (44-87). Among 61 cases, 40 had hypertension and 14 had diabetes mellitus; 22 had a history of smoking. The average left ventricle ejection fraction was (62.96 ±12.15)% (range: 28-86) and the average plasma creatinine level was (82.92 ±18.30)μmol/L (range: 44-130). The major adverse cardiac events (MACE) after the procedure were evaluated.

RESULTSProcedural success was achieved in all cases. A total of 67 stents were implanted. No in-hospital death occurred. Mean clinical follow-up period was (26.25 ±5.92) months (range: 19-44 months). MACE developed in 6 cases (9.8%) during the follow-up period, including 2 death (3.3%) and 4 case of target lesion revascularization (6.6%). Compared with low-risk group (SYNTAX score<33), MACE was increased in the high-risk group (SYNTAX score>32).

CONCLUSION6 French transradial percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with unprotected left main coronary artery lesions is safe and feasible procedure with desirable medium-and long-term outcomes.