A case of effective reduction in the amount of contrast medium using selective coronary angiography with a thrombus aspiration catheter.

A 78-year-old male presented with exertional chest pain and renal dysfunction. Diagnostic coronary angiogram revealed severe subtotal occlusion in intermediate left anterior descending artery. We conducted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and selective angiography with a thrombus aspiration catheter from the proximal part of the lesion using a contrast volume of only 2.5 ml. After marking the optimal location by in- travascular ultrasonography, we inserted a stent. Selective coronary angiography revealed good expansion. We could complete PCI using a contrast volume of only 5 ml in total. This strategy might be effective in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy.