Catheter-based coronary bypass: a development update.

Catheter-based coronary bypass has evolved since its origin in 1995. We present a status update of one version of catheter-based bypass, percutaneous in situ coronary venous arterialization (PICVA), its successes and failures, and the many questions and challenges that remain. Initial clinical experience with PICVA demonstrated promising mitigation of angina in no-option patients, but was complicated by a relatively low procedural completion rate and a high incidence of MACE. A great deal was learned in these initial cases. The system of devices is currently undergoing significant modification, and further clinical study is underway. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc