Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Coronary artery ectasia poses unique challenges during primary percutaneous coronary intervention for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), owing to thrombus burden and vascular tortuosity. This case demonstrates successful reperfusion using a flexible, hydrophilic-coated guide catheter extension (GuidePlus, Nipro, Osaka, Japan). METHODS: A 45-year-old man with inferior STEMI had complete occlusion of a severely ectatic (6.5 mm, 1.8× reference) and tortuous RCA with a 'shepherd's crook' morphology. The conventional GuideLiner failed to cross. GuidePlus, a soft and hydrophilic extension, enabled thrombus aspiration and intracoronary urokinase (240,000 IU) delivery. A 4.0 × 28-mm drug-eluting stent (Ultimaster, Terumo) was deployed and postdilated (5.0-mm NC balloon). RESULTS: The GuidePlus enabled smooth navigation, direct aspiration and thrombolysis. Final angiography confirmed TIMI Grade 3 flow with minimal residual thrombus. The patient was discharged uneventfully and has remained event-free with dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and prasugrel). CONCLUSION: GuidePlus offers excellent flexibility and crossability for managing STEMI in ectatic and tortuous arteries when conventional devices fail.