Catheterization and Cardiovascular Diagnosis 24:204 (1991)

Technical Pearl

An Easy Way to Remove the Linx" Guidewire Extension

Evelyne Goudreau, MD

Extension wires have been used frequently to allow exchange of different over-the-wire balloon catheters without losing access to the target lesion. It sometimes becomes important to remove the extension wire to re- position the steerable guidewire distally or in another vessel or to change for a monorail system.

The Linx'" wire (USCI, Billerica, MA) is used for USCI steerable guidewires and allows their extension by 122 cm. The package insert indicates that the Linx'" extension wire can be disconnected by counterclockwise rotation; however, there is some difficulty in rotating the extension wire with gloved hands. We have found that this procedure can be easily accomplished by using a steering handle. As illustrated in Figure 1, the steering handle is introduced over the extension wire from the distal end and positioned and tightened close to the con- nection site. The steering handle is then rotated counter- clockwise with a gentle traction while the distal end of the guidewire is held in a fixed position.

By this technique the extension wire can be discon- nected without traumatizing its proximal segment and can be reused as needed.

LINX'' EXTENSION WIRE

Fig. 1. A steering handle is positioned close to the connection site and by counterclockwise rotation, the Linxtm wire extension is disconnected.

From The Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.

Received June 2 1 , 199 1.

Address reprint requests to Evelyne Goudreau, M.D., Medical Col- lege of Virginia, Adult Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories, Box 36, MCV Station, Richmond, VA 23298.

0 1991 Wiley-Liss, Inc.